The Epoch Times » Tech Products & Reviewshttp://www.theepochtimes.com
The Epoch Times is an independent voice in print and on the web. We report news responsibly and truthfully so that readers can improve their own lives and increase their understanding and respect for their neighbors next door and around the globe.Sat, 01 Aug 2015 11:33:52 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.5Review: Apple Music Has Everything, Perhaps Too Muchhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1465019-review-apple-music-has-everything-perhaps-too-much/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1465019-review-apple-music-has-everything-perhaps-too-much/#commentsThu, 16 Jul 2015 20:01:04 +0000Associated Press]]>LOS ANGELES—Apple Inc.’s new music service is a valiant effort to catch up in the emerging business of offering unlimited music on demand for a monthly price. It does so while acknowledging the legacy of iTunes, the world’s most popular …]]>

LOS ANGELES—Apple Inc.’s new music service is a valiant effort to catch up in the emerging business of offering unlimited music on demand for a monthly price. It does so while acknowledging the legacy of iTunes, the world’s most popular store for buying individual songs to own.

But Apple Music feels like an attempt to take on every competitive app from Pandora to Spotify to YouTube and advance the idea of online radio at the same time.

Apple Music feels crowded with features and buttons.

As a result, Apple Music feels crowded with features and buttons—unusual for a company known for promoting simplicity and ease of use. And as much as Apple Music tries to suit my personal tastes, I find many of its recommendations off-base.

Apple Music is several services in one.

The core is an on-demand music streaming service like Spotify with a similar price tag—$10 a month. You can pick any of millions of songs to play over Wi-Fi or your cellular connection. You don’t own the songs, though. Although you can download them for offline playback, access disappears once you stop paying (of course, after the generous 90-day trial period ends). It’s like renting rather than owning music.

Apple Music is also a giant song recommendation machine. A “For You” section offers playlists created by staff acquired when Apple bought Beats last year for $3 billion. It’s meant to reflect your iTunes purchases and preferences you make using animated bouncing bubbles, though I found the choices limiting. A “New” tab features new music, videos, and yet more playlists.

Then there’s the “Radio” tab, which debuts not only Apple’s new 24/7 online radio station, Beats1, but also contains several stations specializing in various genres. These are like playlists, but you can’t see all the songs that are up next.

A “Connect” channel offers a running stream of photos, videos, and other content provided by artists for fans. The area feels empty, probably because not many musicians have participated yet.

Amid all this, two innovations stand out:

One is Beats1. The concept of a radio station taken online and delivered to mobile devices in 100 countries around the world is refreshingly simple. Hosted by Zane Lowe in Los Angeles, Julie Adenuga in London, and Ebro Darden in New York, Apple is presenting three tastemakers whom I’m just getting to know. They play music and conduct interviews. Live listening is fun, and I can switch when I want more control over listening.

Siri, Apple’s ever-evolving digital assistant, can now take voice commands and launch music immediately, even responding to relatively complex commands. Ask it to “Play the top songs from 1973,” and you’ll get that year’s top 25, including “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.”

The concept of a radio station taken online and delivered to mobile devices in 100 countries around the world is refreshingly simple.

In fact, if Apple Music had only these two features, I’d feel satisfied.

Recommendations sound great, but they get overwhelming. Presented with dozens of options, the app turns back into a record store. I just want the app to say, “You like this? Then listen to this.” Pandora does this well.

There’s value to a playlist like “Bruce Springsteen: Deep Cuts,” compiled of worthwhile Boss songs that somehow never get played on the radio. But the human compilers are presented as faceless entities like “Apple Music Rock.” This feels impersonal and, to me, gets in the way of connecting with the artists.

Apple Music launched June 30 on iPhones and iPads as part of the free iOS 8.4 update. It ships with the new iPod Touch released Wednesday, July 15, though the previous model can get the update. A new Music app replaces Apple’s online radio service, iTunes Radio. Apple Music is on Mac and Windows computers through the iTunes app. An Android version and integration with Sonos wireless speakers are coming this year.

The service benefits from being featured prominently on Apple’s mobile devices, but I’m not sure that will be enough for people to switch from another service. If you’ve already spent time creating playlists on Spotify, for instance, you’re not going to want to start over on Apple Music.

Apple has a better chance at luring people who are new to music streaming, especially those who regularly buy songs on iTunes.

Apple Music is now the default organizer of all tunes people have saved to iPhones. When people venture away from their personal purchases in “My Music” and explore playlists and other offerings, they might save some songs to personal libraries, where subscription-only music is commingled with purchased downloads. Keeping up with the subscription could be worth it to keep what’s in one’s personal library intact.

Apple Music is mainly a deal for people who spend more than $120 on music annually, which is about double the average. However, there are also plenty of things Apple Music offers for free such as Beats1, genre-based radio stations, and the ability to follow artists on Connect.

It’s no doubt difficult to encapsulate the world of music in a product that aims to mold itself to millions of different tastes. But we’ve come to rely on Apple to address these very vexing problems. Usually it does so in a way that feels less cluttered.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1465019-review-apple-music-has-everything-perhaps-too-much/feed/0Apple iPhone 7, 6S Could Bring Big Design Changeshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1414096-apple-iphone-7-6s-big-design-changes/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1414096-apple-iphone-7-6s-big-design-changes/#commentsThu, 02 Jul 2015 15:30:27 +0000Ram Srinivasan, Epoch Times Contributor]]>Apple typically refreshes its iPhone brand with new models every year, and this year is expected to be no different. Apple is expected to launch the successor to the iPhone 6, the 6S, this Fall. Once the 6S gets released, …]]>

Apple typically refreshes its iPhone brand with new models every year, and this year is expected to be no different. Apple is expected to launch the successor to the iPhone 6, the 6S, this Fall. Once the 6S gets released, the next big release will be the iPhone 7.

If past releases are any indicator, Apple will release the iPhone 6S this September, and the iPhone 7 next September (2016).

The iPhone 6S and the iPhone 7 should bring significant changes over the current versions of Apple’s flagship smartphone. BGR notes that the iPhone 7 could bring a much thinner and flatter model, while the New York Post states that the new model could lose its long-standing home button and fewer hardware features in order to make the device thinner and smaller.

When the new iPhone comes out, also expect better integration with the newly launched Apple Watch. Apple can also be expected to improve its additional offerings surrounding the iPhone, such as the recently launched Apple Music, which features streaming music for a monthly subscription, as well as iTunes and App Store, which enable the user to purchase multimedia and mobile apps from Apple through a variety of third-party publishers.

New models of the iPhone typically cause a jump in iPhone sales, and the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6S launches should be no exceptions as Apple users look to upgrade their older phones to the latest models.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1414096-apple-iphone-7-6s-big-design-changes/feed/0Review: Apple Has Best Smartwatch, but Rivals Have Strengthshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1403450-review-apple-has-best-smartwatch-but-rivals-have-strengths/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1403450-review-apple-has-best-smartwatch-but-rivals-have-strengths/#commentsWed, 24 Jun 2015 19:29:31 +0000Associated Press]]>NEW YORK—As much as I wish the Apple Watch could do more, I find it the best smartwatch available, given its polished design and wide range of apps.

But there may be reasons to consider something else. For one thing, …

]]>

NEW YORK—As much as I wish the Apple Watch could do more, I find it the best smartwatch available, given its polished design and wide range of apps.

But there may be reasons to consider something else. For one thing, Apple Watch requires an iPhone. Pebble Time, in particular, works with both iPhones and Android devices and excels at battery life. But it falls short elsewhere.

Whether you need a smartwatch at all is another matter. Many people are happy having one, but others won’t need one yet. If you need to stay connected continually and find that pulling out a phone is inconvenient, you might be in the market for a smartwatch. It will give you regular updates, replicating notifications on your phone. You’ll also get apps like navigation and fitness.

Here’s a look at some of the alternatives to Apple Watch and how they compare:

Pebble Time ($199; iOS, Android)

The original Pebble, the product of a public fundraising campaign through Kickstarter, reigned as a leading smartwatch until Samsung, Google, and Apple came along. Orders began this week for a new model, Pebble Time. Apps offer business listings from Yelp, playback control for Pandora Radio, and sports scores from ESPN. But the app selection is short of what you get with Apple Watch or watches that run Google’s Android Wear system. For instance, the most popular navigation app, MapsGPS, feels rudimentary.

What’s good: I can go about five days between charges, while rivals smartwatches max out at a day or two (Apple Watch is officially at 18 hours, though I typically get several hours more). In addition, the display is always on, so you can use a watch as, well, a watch all day. With some smartwatches, the screen goes dark to save battery.

Compromises: Pebble Time achieves amazing battery life by using a paper-like display that makes graphics and text look dull and fuzzy, as though generated by a dot-matrix printer from the 1980s. On a pedometer app, I couldn’t tell whether I ran 6,350 steps or 8,350 steps. Unlike most other smartwatches, Pebble Time lacks a touch screen and a heart rate monitor. Outside parties can make watch bands with heart rate and other sensors, but nothing’s available yet.

The bottom line: The no-frills smartwatch comes across as a toy, but it’s also much cheaper than a $349-and-up Apple Watch. Pebble’s silicone band feels flimsy, though you can buy better ones from outside parties. Pebble Time supports both iPhones and Android; some apps and features work with just one or the other.

Android Wear ($200 to $350, depending on the model; Android only)

Any manufacturer can make watches based on Android Wear. If Pebble’s or Apple’s rectangular designs aren’t for you, you can get a round watch like Motorola’s $250 Moto 360 or LG’s $350 Watch Urbane. You can also get a model with built-in GPS like Sony’s $250 SmartWatch 3 (though it’s also rectangular). There are seven models so far, with more to come. Older models have steep discounts.

What’s good: Android Wear puts the “smart” in smartwatches by anticipating your needs—weather, travel times, and appointment reminders, based on what Google learns about you. Creepy, but useful—at least during the occasional times when Google anticipates correctly.

Compromises: Android Wear is highly dependent on voice commands. I get self-conscious speaking to a watch in public, and it doesn’t work well in noisy environments. Apple Watch does require voice for extensive message replies, but there’s a lot you can do through its touch screen and dial. A recent Android update makes it easier to launch apps and reach frequent contacts using the touch screen, but with more scrolling and tapping compared with Apple Watch.

The bottom line: It’s getting there. The app store and user interface for the year-old Android Wear are just starting to catch up to what Apple Watch had in its first week.

Samsung’s latest smartwatch has a slick user interface and a vivid, curved screen. It’s also huge.

What’s good: Gear S stands out in having its own cellular connectivity, so you can do more when you leave your phone at home. It has built-in GPS, too, which makes tracking runs and bike rides more accurate. (Android Wear just started letting users get notifications over known Wi-Fi networks, but it’s not as ubiquitous as cellular. Apple Watch also uses Wi-Fi, but only when it’s on the same network as the phone.)

Compromises: Samsung shuns Android Wear, so apps need to be designed specifically for the watch. Many developers haven’t bothered.

The bottom line: The Gear S is a third-generation smartwatch from Samsung. By now, I expect a robust app store. The hardware may be stunning, but that matters little without good apps to use it.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1403450-review-apple-has-best-smartwatch-but-rivals-have-strengths/feed/0New Gen Siri Vs Google Now on Taphttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1393918-new-gen-siri-vs-google-now-on-tap/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1393918-new-gen-siri-vs-google-now-on-tap/#commentsTue, 16 Jun 2015 17:24:04 +0000Zach Epstein]]>The past few weeks have been quite busy for developers and technology fans in general. First, Google’s annual Google I/O conference brought us a look at all the new software we can expect to see from Google in 2015. Then, …]]>

The past few weeks have been quite busy for developers and technology fans in general. First, Google’s annual Google I/O conference brought us a look at all the new software we can expect to see from Google in 2015. Then, Apple’s WWDC 2015 keynote gave us glimpses at iOS 9, OS X El Capitan, WatchOS 2, Apple Music and more.

Few people would argue that Apple came away the big winner when it comes to generating buzz, as expected. But that doesn’t mean Google’s announcements were duds — far from it. In fact, Google showed off some impressive new stuff at I/O, and now it’s time to see how one of the company’s most impressive new features stands up to iOS 9.

CNET has put together a terrific comparison that pits the proactive new Siri features in iOS 9 against “Google Now on Tap,” which is a suite of functionality that truly takes Google Now to the next level.

Siri and Google Now have been compared for years but truth be told, there really wasn’t any comparison. While it has certainly improved in recent years, Siri has always been a relatively straightforward virtual assistant. Meanwhile, Google Now uses the data Google collects to get ahead of the game, giving you the information you need before you even think to ask for it.

Beginning with iOS 9, however, Apple will follow Google’s lead, making Siri smarter and more proactive.

Starting with the chart above, CNET takes an in-depth look at the two new services and compares their features and capabilities. The site does a good job of covering all of the basics, and it dives a bit deeper in some areas as well.

The inevitable flaws, of course, are twofold: first, neither of these apps are release versions. And second, they each pack way too much functionality to cover everything.

The post is a great primer though, and it will give you a very good idea of how Google Now on Tap and Siri in iOS 9 compare. You can read the full article here.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1393918-new-gen-siri-vs-google-now-on-tap/feed/0Google’s New Service Can See Whether or Not You Can Get to Your Destination on Timehttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1393831-googles-new-service-can-see-whether-or-not-you-can-get-to-your-destination-on-time/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1393831-googles-new-service-can-see-whether-or-not-you-can-get-to-your-destination-on-time/#commentsTue, 16 Jun 2015 16:33:42 +0000Chris Smith]]>How many times did you hurry to make a last-minute purchase only to find out that a certain store had closed for the day while you were stuck in traffic? That kind of annoyance might soon be a thing of …]]>

How many times did you hurry to make a last-minute purchase only to find out that a certain store had closed for the day while you were stuck in traffic? That kind of annoyance might soon be a thing of the past, as Google has found a way to fix it inside Google Maps.

The popular mapping app will now tell you if the place you’re navigating to will be closed by the time you arrive, Android Police reports, a neat trick that should certainly save you some precious time.

Even if you know where a store is located and you wouldn’t necessarily need Google Maps navigation to get there, it might still be a good idea to use Google’s service to see whether or not you can get there on time.

The new feature has been spotted in the updated change log for the Android Google Maps app. “Receive a warning when you are about to navigate to a place that is closed at time of arrival,” the Google Maps’ change log says.

The notice appears in the middle of the screen on a smartphone, as seen in the following screenshot, listing opening hours for the day, as well as estimated arrival time. “Your destination may be closed by the time you arrive,” the warning says, while still offering users the option of starting navigation to that destination.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1393831-googles-new-service-can-see-whether-or-not-you-can-get-to-your-destination-on-time/feed/0Apple Watch Is Finally Herehttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1393804-apple-watch-is-finally-here/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1393804-apple-watch-is-finally-here/#commentsTue, 16 Jun 2015 15:40:17 +0000Jonathan S. Geller]]>The Apple Watch is finally here. We have been told by trusted sources that Apple Stores around the country have begun to receive shipments of the Apple Watch for sale through in-store reservations for personal pickup when purchased online.

We’re …

]]>

The Apple Watch is finally here. We have been told by trusted sources that Apple Stores around the country have begun to receive shipments of the Apple Watch for sale through in-store reservations for personal pickup when purchased online.

We’re not sure if this means you can buy the watch today or if the stock will be used for overnight purchases and available for pick up tomorrow. There’s no word on the product mix at this point, but we’re still investigating.

The Apple Watch first released on April 24th, though is remains a difficult device to buy. Apple opened preorders ahead of launch and only a portion of people who preordered the device actually received one in late April. Many more didn’t take delivery until sometime in May or even June, depending on when orders were placed.

“The response to Apple Watch has surpassed our expectations in every way, and we are thrilled to bring it to more customers around the world,” Apple SVP of Operations Jeff Williams said at the time. “We’re also making great progress with the backlog of Apple Watch orders, and we thank our customers for their patience. All orders placed through May, with the sole exception of Apple Watch 42 mm Space Black Stainless Steel with Space Black Link Bracelet, will ship to customers within two weeks. At that time, we’ll also begin selling some models in our Apple Retail Stores.”

We have reached out to Apple and will update this post with any comment the company provides.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1393804-apple-watch-is-finally-here/feed/0How We Went From Sundials to Smartwatcheshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1390329-how-we-went-from-sundials-to-smartwatches/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1390329-how-we-went-from-sundials-to-smartwatches/#commentsSat, 13 Jun 2015 10:30:28 +0000SwissInfo.ch]]>The fascination with time has inspired countless interfaces, none more radical than the recent smartwatch. At the heart of a region renowned for fine traditional watchmaking, an exhibition reveals how the division of time by mankind more than 5,000 years …]]>

The fascination with time has inspired countless interfaces, none more radical than the recent smartwatch. At the heart of a region renowned for fine traditional watchmaking, an exhibition reveals how the division of time by mankind more than 5,000 years ago continues to foster ingeniousness and creativity.

Telling Time at Lausanne’s Mudac design museum focuses on the capture of time by watchmakers, designers and artists from the 16th century to today, including the brazen newcomer, the Apple Watch.

For 30 years, Fabienne Xavière Sturm was in charge of the famous collections of the Museum of Watchmaking and Enamelware in Geneva, which she presented all over the world, but when she was invited by Mudac’s director, Chantal Pro’Hom, to co-curate the Lausanne exhibition, they rapidly decided to concentrate not on watchmaking or time itself, but on the way timepieces tell time.

“We look at the face of a watch the same way as we look at the face of a person, we read its traits to understand what it is telling us, each one with a different expression, some mysterious, some playful, others secretive or joyful.”

With more than 150 examples in diverse styles from different ages, including from the great watchmakers of history – Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Piaget, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-Lcoultre, and IWC – the exhibition is a tribute to man’s poetic hold on time.

The Origin

The division of time into hours probably dates back to 3,500 BC explains the show’s historical advisor Arnaud Tellier, former director of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. It has been attributed to a semi-nomadic tribe, the Chaldeans, who settled in southern Babylonia, currently Iraq, and whose astrological observations led to the numerical division of time.

(Shutterstock)

Invention of Timepieces to Keep Time

It was only with the invention of mechanical timepieces in the 13th and 14th century that the length of hours could at last be anchored into a fixed time. According to Tellier, the first clocks were created to regulate the cycle of prayers in the monasteries after dark.

With the invention of the pendulum around 1660 and the spiral balance in 1675 by the Dutch mathematician, astronomer and physician, Christiaan Huygens – who was inspired by the works of Galileo – clocks and portable timepieces could at last tell the minutes and not just the hours.

A Springboard to Imagination

Wandering hours, day and night dials, ‘grandes complications’ with the phases of the moon, lavishly enamelled dials with portraits of royalty, circles, squares and triangles, the telling of time has been nurtured by infinite imagination.

Sturm points out however that this has not always been the case. Timepieces were originally made by clock and watchmakers alone. Then merchants stepped in and entrusted the many stages of the production to different craft masters, including engravers, relief carvers, jewellers and enamellers.

Geneva played an important role in establishing Switzerland as a pivotal player in the field. The harsh climate of the neighbouring Jura allowed the manufacturing to take place during the winters when the farmers had nothing to do.

It is no surprise, according to the co-curator, that designers and artists later came to use time as a springboard to their own imagination and their proposals make up a large part of the show.

What Next

The decision to end the selection with the connected watch conveniently opens the door to the future. ECAL, the internationally renowned University of art and design Lausanne, has ensured the scenography of the show, but very few of its students, director Alexis Georgacopoulos points out, even wear a watch. He thinks however that vintage models, particularly those bold designs from the 60s and 70s, are making a comeback.

As for the Apple Watch, Georgacopoulos suggests that its success will also depend on whether it is renewed as frequently as the phone. He adds somewhat provocatively that it should jolt the top-end watch industry into action.

One brand has already responded. Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Tag Heuer, has announced the launch of a Swiss smartwatch by this autumn. He hopes that Apple will sell “millions and millions” so that young people will start wearing watches again, but will turn to different brands when they tire of owning the same as everyone else.

The Zurich-based Smartwatch Group predicts that 27 million smartwatches will be sold this year, with sales climbing to 650 million by 2020.

By combining heritage collections with playful contemporary designs, Telling time has provoked a dialogue between history and the present that teases our perception of time.

“This is not just about objects. Philosophy is never very far away,” advances Xavière Sturm.

From Google Glasses and Apple Watches to interactive “smart jeans,” technology, hitherto involved only in the manufacturing of clothing, is now invading the design and fitting process.

Designers at Madlab have created a …

]]>

The machines are invading the fashion world.

From Google Glasses and Apple Watches to interactive “smart jeans,” technology, hitherto involved only in the manufacturing of clothing, is now invading the design and fitting process.

Designers at Madlab have created a modeling tool that projects light onto a person’s wrist, which can gather data for a 3-D printer to make tailored, ergonomic jewelry for the user.

The device, named Tactum, uses Microsoft Kinect to detect and track skin gestures so that the light projections can, just like analog material, be pushed, pulled, or pinched by human touch.

Tactum has already been used to make a watch band for the Moto 360 Smartwatch. The designers were able to pull a space between the digital projects, insert the watch there, and print the subsequent pattern that was a custom-fit for the user’s wrist.

Light modeling is a technology still in its early stages, and the response to touch is imprecise: the gestures need to be at least 20 mm wide, or jut over three quarters of an inch. A second prototype has been made that uses the Leap Motion Controller, a more robust motion sensor, for gesture detection.

(MadLab)

One of the wider goals of the project is to empower everyday users to imagine, design, and create custom-made wearables and more, for themselves.

“Gesture-based interfaces for 3-D modeling … facilitate the expressive creation of digital geometry, while requiring little prerequisite skill for most interactions,” researchers involved in the project wrote in a technical paper.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1380288-watch-jewellery-tailored-light-projections/feed/0Amazon Boxes to Feature “Minions”http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1378422-amazon-boxes-feature-despicable-me-minions/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1378422-amazon-boxes-feature-despicable-me-minions/#commentsWed, 03 Jun 2015 00:45:51 +0000Ram Srinivasan, Epoch Times Contributor]]>Do you purchase a lot from Amazon? Do you like the Minions from the “Despicable Me” movies, who will be starring in their own summer movie, “Minions”?

Well, then you might just have the time of your life this summer, …

]]>

Do you purchase a lot from Amazon? Do you like the Minions from the “Despicable Me” movies, who will be starring in their own summer movie, “Minions”?

Well, then you might just have the time of your life this summer, when Amazon starts shipping packages in its custom wrapped boxes featuring the … Minions!

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, the makers of the “Minions” movie, have signed a deal with Amazon to wrap the popular smiley, plain brown Amazon boxes in a bright yellow, and featuring one of the three main minions in the movie: Stuart, Kevin or Bob.

In addition to the yellow color and the Minions, the boxes also feature a link – http://amazon.com/minions – which takes one to an Amazon page with all sorts of products related to … Minions.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to make an Amazon Prime purchase so I can get a box with minions on it for myself.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1378422-amazon-boxes-feature-despicable-me-minions/feed/0Finally: A Service That Lets You Charge People to Email Youhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1377675-finally-a-service-that-lets-you-charge-people-to-email-you/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1377675-finally-a-service-that-lets-you-charge-people-to-email-you/#commentsTue, 02 Jun 2015 17:31:05 +0000Zach Epstein]]>If I were to charge people to email me, I could likely retire before the year is done. I more than 100 emails per day on a slow day, and can easily top 200 emails on a busy day. This, …]]>

If I were to charge people to email me, I could likely retire before the year is done. I more than 100 emails per day on a slow day, and can easily top 200 emails on a busy day. This, of course, is why I had no choice but to destroy email.

Of course, it wouldn’t be ethical for me to charge companies to pitch me, so I would never use a service like Wrte.io. For others out there without ethical barriers, however, a service that lets you charge people to email you might just be your new favorite thing in the world.

When someone emails you at that new address, he or she automatically gets a reply that states how much it costs to email you and includes a link to a simple payment gateway where the person can pay by credit card or bitcoin.

Once the payment is verified, the email is forwarded to your personal email address. The money paid to send you that email will then be deposited in your Stripe account or donated to charity via Watsi, if you prefer. The service charges a fee that varies depending on how much you charge to receive emails.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1377675-finally-a-service-that-lets-you-charge-people-to-email-you/feed/0GoPro to Make Kit for Drones and Virtual Realityhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1372375-gopro-to-make-kit-for-drones-and-virtual-reality/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1372375-gopro-to-make-kit-for-drones-and-virtual-reality/#commentsThu, 28 May 2015 13:49:29 +0000Jonathan Zhou, Epoch Times]]>GoPro’s CEO Nick Woodman announced Thursday that his company was developing a spherical mount that can house six action cameras at once for making virtual reality videos. He also said that GoPro will make its own quadcopter.

“It’s incredible to …

]]>

GoPro’s CEO Nick Woodman announced Thursday that his company was developing a spherical mount that can house six action cameras at once for making virtual reality videos. He also said that GoPro will make its own quadcopter.

“It’s incredible to see our world from new perspectives,” Woodman said at the Code Conference, reports Recode. “We did that with our GoPro cameras, and we see a similar opportunity in the quadcopter market.”

Woodman said that the GoPro drone will come out in early 2016, along with assorted related products. The six-camera mount, a prototype of which was displayed at the conference, will be available in the second half of 2015.

A prototype of the 6-camera spherical mount (GoPro).

GoPro’s entry into the virtual reality market was not unexpected. Last month, it acquired the French company Kolor, which creates software that combines separate video recordings to create a panoramic, immersive product. Earlier, Kolor and Intel collaborated to film an interactive, 360 degree music video, the first of its kind on YouTube, where the user can change his perspective by dragging the video left or right.

GoPro’s release of the virtual reality camera mount is well timed, as Oculus VR will release its first commercial headset in the first quarter of 2016.

“When Facebook dropped the gauntlet and acquired Oculus, it sent a message that, ok there’s going to be heavy development and investment in virtual reality,” Woodman said, reports the Verge. “Multicamera enables spherical content.”

Virtual reality has enjoyed a renaissance in the past few years, and the market is now teeming with an array of headsets from established companies like Microsoft, Google, and Samsung.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1372375-gopro-to-make-kit-for-drones-and-virtual-reality/feed/06 Android M Features Fans Want to See Unveiled at Google I/O Next Weekhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1369975-6-android-m-features-fans-want-to-see-unveiled-at-google-io-next-week/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1369975-6-android-m-features-fans-want-to-see-unveiled-at-google-io-next-week/#commentsTue, 26 May 2015 19:10:33 +0000Brad Reed]]>We always try to keep up with assorted fan communities to get a sense of how they’re feeling about their favorite products.

We always try to keep up with assorted fan communities to get a sense of how they’re feeling about their favorite products.

Reddit’s Android fan community is typically very smart and insightful, which is why we were interested to see what Android M features they’d most like to see Google unveil at its big Google I/O conference next week. Here are the six most popular responses as ranked by upvotes.

Multiwindow Support

This is something that Apple is reportedly working on for iOS 9 and most specifically its 12-inch iPad Pro.

Being able to have multiple app windows open at once and being able to look at them side-by-side is definitely something that would be welcome for Android tablets and even giant phablets like the Galaxy Note.

Full Device Backup

Basically, Android users want to be able to back up every setting and piece of data on their phones without having to root their device or use tools like the Android SDK. This is one of the few things that Android fans will admit makes them envious of iOS users.

A Full-Fledged Theme Engine

“I know it sounds ridiculous but one of the stronger points of Android has always been its [customization options] and I think Google isn’t really taking advantage of that,” wrote one user. “Maybe an SDK specifically for it. It would also eliminate the need for custom ROMs and add yet another category on the Play store.”

Stability

This will apparently be a big focus of Apple’s iOS 9 release and it would be nice if Google put a lot of effort into it as well. New Android releases aren’t always the most stable and we get the feeling many fans wouldn’t mind having fewer features and more stability with Android M this year.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1369975-6-android-m-features-fans-want-to-see-unveiled-at-google-io-next-week/feed/0Environmentally-Friendly Innovation Makes Tea Without a Kettle (Video)http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1365938-environmentally-friendly-innovation-makes-tea-without-a-kettle-video/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1365938-environmentally-friendly-innovation-makes-tea-without-a-kettle-video/#commentsFri, 22 May 2015 14:48:49 +0000Jonathan Zhou, Epoch Times]]>In the history textbooks of the future, the 2010s may well be labeled as the Golden Age of energy conservation: the ethos of environmentally-friendly living has already been adopted by all the leading figures in society, but there still remains …]]>

In the history textbooks of the future, the 2010s may well be labeled as the Golden Age of energy conservation: the ethos of environmentally-friendly living has already been adopted by all the leading figures in society, but there still remains glory to be had for inventors and activists tackling seemingly insurmountable problems.

The year 2015, which introduced Tesla’s home-battery for solar energy, blade-less wind turbines, and Tesla again with its announcement of an electric car affordable for the average consumers, will be seen as a vintage year for energy conservation. But in technological innovation as well as in warfare, there are battles of annihilation, and there are skirmishes.

MIITO, the company that has started a Kickstarter for its “kettle” rod, belongs in the latter category. The concept for the device is simple: by heating up beverages such as tea with an immersion heater instead of a kettle, the consumer can save electricity in the process by not having to heat extra water.

“One day of extra energy use [from overfilling electric kettles] is enough to light all the streetlights in England for a night,” Leyla Acaroglu said in her 2014 TED talk. MIITO said that this quote was the inspiration behind the kettle rod project.

Immersion heaters are already an established product, but the available models are clunky and inconvenient: to heat your beverage, you have to plug the device into a power outlet and dangle the rod into your coffee mug.

MIITO is a step forward in both substance and style over previous immersion heaters. It uses induction heating instead of electric heating, where the self-standing rod gets its heat from the induction base below. Because the rod stands on itself, it’s much more convenient to use than conventional immersion heaters.

MIITO has already raised more than $360,000, double its $170,000 goal, but if you want to help save the world and get exclusive updates about the development of the kettle rod, there’s still 22 days left to donate 5 euros or more.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1365938-environmentally-friendly-innovation-makes-tea-without-a-kettle-video/feed/0Hate Parking? This Folding Car Is Made for Youhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1363685-hate-parking-this-folding-car-was-made-for-you/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1363685-hate-parking-this-folding-car-was-made-for-you/#commentsThu, 21 May 2015 02:51:41 +0000Cindy Drukier, Epoch Times]]>Time to rethink city driving again—or more specifically, city parking.

Imagine having an ultra-compact, 2-seater electric car that can self-park, slide into any spot sideways or even diagonally, and if the parking space still isn’t big enough, the car body …

]]>

Time to rethink city driving again—or more specifically, city parking.

Imagine having an ultra-compact, 2-seater electric car that can self-park, slide into any spot sideways or even diagonally, and if the parking space still isn’t big enough, the car body hoists up and folds forward, shrinking from roughly 7.5 feet long to just 5.2 feet.

To compare, a Smart car is 8.8 feet long and even a Vespa scooter is over 5.8 feet.

The EO can twirl on the spot, or more practically, pivot your wheels and you can drive to the curb sideways, making parallel parking about as easy as pulling up to a stop sign.

The body, especially when tilted up over the axle with driver and passenger tilting along with it, looks something like a pod from an amusement park ride or a simple transformer. (see video)

The EO is equipped with a number of cameras and scanners to give it complete intelligence on its surroundings. It has multi-lens cameras at the front and back, sensors that measure angle and speed, and 3-D environment scanners. Currently these sensors allow it to auto-park, but the plan is to make it fully self-driving in the future.

What it’s not built for is speed or distance. It tops out at 40 mph and its range on a single battery charge is only 30 to 44 miles, which means if you live in SoHo, you’d be able to drive to JFK Airport, but get one quarter of the way back.

There is already a vision for the next iteration to solve the highway driving problem: interlocking cars. A “platoon” of cars would link up like a daisy chain, pooling power and allowing all but the lead car to relax and enjoy the ride. It could also accommodate cargo pods and extra battery cells. The team even imagines it being a new form of mass transit or rideshare, where you could hook into a convoy.

The current EO prototype is driving well but no word yet if folding cars will ever make it to the streets of Manhattan, where conceptually they’d find a willing market, as long as someone solves the problem for all electric cars in the city—how to recharge the battery from an alternate side parking spot.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1363685-hate-parking-this-folding-car-was-made-for-you/feed/0The Most Infuriating Thing About the Apple Watchhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1362586-the-most-infuriating-thing-about-the-apple-watch/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1362586-the-most-infuriating-thing-about-the-apple-watch/#commentsTue, 19 May 2015 19:45:15 +0000Zach Epstein]]>The Apple Watch won’t be the best-selling device in Apple’s lineup anytime soon, but it’s certainly one of the most important.

It’s the first new product Apple has launched since the original iPad back in 2010, and it’s also the …

]]>

The Apple Watch won’t be the best-selling device in Apple’s lineup anytime soon, but it’s certainly one of the most important.

It’s the first new product Apple has launched since the original iPad back in 2010, and it’s also the company’s first foray into an exciting new market. Two exciting new markets, actually, since the Apple Watch is really the only device to marry wearables and luxury goods.

I have spoken a great deal about the Watch on our podcast and I’ve started writing about it as well, but I’m not running a full review until I’ve spent more time with it. In the meantime, there are certain parts of the Watch experience that I’m highlighting in individual posts.

The iPhone and iPad are phenomenal devices in nearly every way imaginable. The designs are stunning, the build quality is best-in-class, and the iOS platform is beautiful, fluid and capable.

Beyond all that, however, apps are what really make these devices great.

The third-party application ecosystem Apple has managed to create is second to none. The iOS platform attracts the best and brightest mobile developers in the world, and the apps they create enhance the iOS experience dramatically. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Apps are the best thing about iOS.

It’s quite interesting, then, that apps are by far the most infuriating thing about the Apple Watch.

Before I explain why, it’s important to note that the nature of the Apple Watch is completely different from the iPhone or iPad. The latter are built for extended periods of consumption, creation and interaction.

The Watch, on the other hand, is absolutely not intended to be used in the same way. In fact in many cases, if an interaction with the Apple Watch takes more than a few seconds, the device has failed.

This brings us to the first major problem with Apple Watch apps: Developers don’t yet know what to do with it.

In some cases, taking a bite out of an existing iPhone or iPad app’s functionality and squeezing it onto the Watch makes sense. A navigation app can alert you when it’s time to turn.

A to do app can display lists and let you check items off as you address them. An smart home app can let you unlock your door, open your garage door or turn on your lights with a few quick taps.

In most cases though, the Apple Watch shouldn’t be a receptacle for bits and pieces of an iPhone app. Does anyone really need to read headlines from a news app on his or her wrist? Is shopping in Target’s Apple Watch app more or less convenient than pulling out an iPhone and using the full mobile app?

There are new and novel ways that apps can enhance the Apple Watch experience. Developers just haven’t found them yet.

But there’s another big problem with apps, and this time it’s Apple’s fault. Opening apps is ridiculously, horribly, painfully slow on the Watch, and it completely ruins the experience in the moment.

The Apple Watch is all about brevity, as I mentioned. Lift your wrist, tap a few times, get the info you need, move on. Even in the case where deeper interactions are required, such as responding to a text, it’s still designed to be as simple and brief as possible.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1362586-the-most-infuriating-thing-about-the-apple-watch/feed/0iPhone 6S Might Make It’s Appearance Sooner Than We Thoughthttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1362385-iphone-6s-might-make-its-appearance-sooner-than-we-thought/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1362385-iphone-6s-might-make-its-appearance-sooner-than-we-thought/#commentsTue, 19 May 2015 17:51:02 +0000Chris Smith]]>Apple is already working on the next-generation iPhone 6s models, even though the current generation of devices is still a strong seller in stores.

Multiple reports from sources familiar with Apple’s plans claim the iPhone 6s will be a significant …

]]>

Apple is already working on the next-generation iPhone 6s models, even though the current generation of devices is still a strong seller in stores.

Multiple reports from sources familiar with Apple’s plans claim the iPhone 6s will be a significant upgrade over its predecessor, but the wildest iPhone 6s rumor yet says Apple might launch the new models much sooner than anticipated.

Starting with the iPhone 4S, all of Apple’s smartphones have been released in the September/October timeframe in the U.S. and other markets, followed by a gradual launch in other international markets.

Now, Chinese publication Economic Daily News has two reports out saying that Apple might be ready to launch the iPhone 6s a month earlier than expected.

Apparently, supply chain sources familiar with the matter say the company has production of the iPhone 6s underway, and component yields are much better than expected. As a result, Apple would be able to launch the new 4.7-inch iPhone 6s and 5.5-inch iPhone 6s Plus as soon as August, if it wanted to.

Naturally, that’s assuming iOS 9 will also be ready to roll out at that time – with each new iPhone release, Apple also launches its latest mobile operating system.

The reports indicate that the new iPhone 6s models will look like their predecessors, mentioning various others rumors that have been recently published online.

The new iPhone should come in two sizes, matching last year’s models, and pack 2GB of RAM, new 12-megapixel camera, Force Touch support and an improved aluminum alloy housing to prevent bending.

Interestingly, Samsung also reportedly has plans to launch the Galaxy Note 5 earlier than expected this year, in an effort to beat the iPhone 6s Plus to market.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1362385-iphone-6s-might-make-its-appearance-sooner-than-we-thought/feed/0This Might Be the Best Free News Reader Apphttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1361916-this-might-be-the-best-free-news-reader-app/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1361916-this-might-be-the-best-free-news-reader-app/#commentsTue, 19 May 2015 11:41:19 +0000Zach Epstein]]>There is no question that news readers make up a category of apps that is completely flooded. On one hand, this is great because it gives people plenty of choices that offer all sorts of different functionality.

But it also …

]]>

There is no question that news readers make up a category of apps that is completely flooded. On one hand, this is great because it gives people plenty of choices that offer all sorts of different functionality.

But it also means that you might never find the perfect news app for you because there’s just so much clutter to dig through.

News readers typically do a few things well and a few things very poorly, which is why users tend to rely on more than one app for their news.

Personally, I use an RSS reader to follow the main news sources I read regularly — Fiery Feeds on the iPhone and Press on Android — and then I use the list feature in Twitter apps as well as a few other apps such as Flipboard and NYT Now.

Now, I have a new app to add to that list.

Instead of trying to hit all of the important notes in a news reader, IIIN focuses on one thing alone: showing you news that is currently trending on social networks, organized by popularity. Only a handful of news organizations and blogs are covered by the app, so the user isn’t overwhelmed.

You can also narrow the stream down to a specific category, such as business news or entertainment news.

Also, unlike many other trending news apps, you won’t see the same story 47 times when it breaks.

There are a few things I don’t like about the app. For example, it would be great to exclude news sites and blogs that I never want to see. I’d also like the option to add sites that I do want to see covered in the app.

Overall though, it’s a great option for people who want to see what’s trending at any given moment in a sleek and simple interface.

IIIN’s full description follows below, along with a link to download it from the Google Play store. The app is Android-only right now, though the developer has told BGR that an iOS version will launch soon.

IIIN is perfect app to track most recent trending news. Every hour, we collect what people are talking about all over web, blog, social networks then identify trending events, stories, information, videos and organize them in categories. IIIN is also integrated with many social features, making it become a network of news.

IIIN tackle two fundamental problems of traditional publisher and social news. On one hand, official news website rank their content based on editors’ perspective, not the audiences. In some case, however, they will not reveal what users are really interested about or some sensitive events (political stuff for example). On the other hand, news that has been viral on social networks (Facebook and Twitter) are biased toward entertainment, showbiz life, weird stuff and not well-categorized. Those are reasons why we introduce IIIN – Trending news

★IIIN stands for: interesting, integrated and interactive news★• Interesting: All the news we provide are shared and discussed by thousand to hundred of thousands people on internet and social network. It’s often a controversial issue or a touching story that draw massive amounts of attention. In other words, they are all worth reading.• Integrated: We show you updated statistic of each articles about how viral it is currently (how many shares, comments), then you could easily select what to read. In addition, comments and opinions about the news are also available.• Interactive: IIIN is great place to share your thoughts, feeling about currently trending events. By Facebook or Twitter logging in, you are conveniently able to like news articles, share stories to your Facebook or Twitter walls. Particularly, we focus much effort on comment sections which is perfect to enjoy discussing.

★Features★• Simple view version with only well-formated text (along with original web version)• Share, like news article by logging in Facebook or Twitter• Joining comment section by logging in Facebook (without logging in, you just can read comments)• Save article to read later on offline mode• Delivery everyday, you could specify delivery options(notifications, delivery time) on settings screen

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1361916-this-might-be-the-best-free-news-reader-app/feed/0iPhone 6S Might Be the Biggest ‘S’ Upgrade Everhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1361841-iphone-6s-might-be-the-biggest-s-upgrade-ever/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1361841-iphone-6s-might-be-the-biggest-s-upgrade-ever/#commentsTue, 19 May 2015 09:39:45 +0000Chris Smith]]>People often don’t think of Apple’s “S” upgrades as significant upgrades. But that might not be the case with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, a family of handsets that will reportedly bring several huge improvements to the …]]>

People often don’t think of Apple’s “S” upgrades as significant upgrades. But that might not be the case with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, a family of handsets that will reportedly bring several huge improvements to the table compared to their predecessors.

Business Insider has obtained a research note from Citi that lists expectations for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. According to the note, analysts expect Apple to improve screen durability and build quality, and to also beef up the specs of the phone as well as the camera.

Citi says that the new iPhone 6s models will have tougher screens than predecessors, suggesting that Gorilla Glass 4 protective displays are more likely for the new handsets than sapphire glass screens.

Apple is also rumored to move to 7000 series aluminum for the iPhone 6s to prevent future Bendgate problems – it’s the same metal alloy is currently used for Apple Watch Sport models.

The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are expected to pack faster A9 processors and 2GB of RAM. This combo might boost speeds by more than 25%, the publication notes.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1361841-iphone-6s-might-be-the-biggest-s-upgrade-ever/feed/0Review: What to Do If Phones Fill Up With Photoshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1359645-review-what-phones-fill-photos/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1359645-review-what-phones-fill-photos/#commentsSun, 17 May 2015 17:02:50 +0000Associated Press]]>NEW YORK—Shoot enough photos and videos, and your phone will eventually fill up.

It isn’t always possible to add storage, and it isn’t easy to move your vast collection elsewhere to free up space. New services from Yahoo and Apple …

]]>

NEW YORK—Shoot enough photos and videos, and your phone will eventually fill up.

It isn’t always possible to add storage, and it isn’t easy to move your vast collection elsewhere to free up space. New services from Yahoo and Apple can help by automatically moving your photos and videos online.

Yahoo’s Flickr

Flickr offers virtually unlimited online storage for free—1 terabyte, or as Yahoo puts it, about five photos a day for the next 60 years. New tools from Yahoo automate image transfers.

With Flickr’s app for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, old and new images alike are automatically copied to your online account, so you can delete the original files from your phone. You’ll still be able to edit and share images through Flickr’s app, and you can retrieve the originals anytime.

Meanwhile, Flickr’s software for Mac and Windows computers will continually scan and upload images, including ones you add later.

Regardless of the source, all photos and videos are viewable in one collection through a Web browser or Flickr’s mobile app. The newest images are on top, but you can use Flickr’s smart sorting tools under its “Magic View.” Software analyzes and categorizes images based on what’s in them, such as food and flowers. A search tool lets you filter by such attributes as colors in the picture and the image’s orientation.

To free up space, you need to delete files from your phone after getting them to Flickr, which means keeping track of which ones have already been transferred. Also, while Flickr can categorize people shots based on whether they contain children or groups, it doesn’t do face detection. You can’t pull up photos of just your mom or your best friend.

Flickr is still rolling out the features to all of its users. I’ve encountered some hiccups, including videos not uploading consistently.

And after a few days, Flickr still hasn’t finished transferring all of my photos. If your collection is sizable like mine, it can take days or weeks.

Get Flickr’s app from your phone’s app store. Go to http://flickr.com/tools/downloadmac for the Mac software and http://flickr.com/tools/downloadwindows http://bit.ly/1LFp0Dp for Windows.

Apple’s iCloud Photo Library

This is Apple’s way of unifying your photo collection online. It works with Apple’s Photos app for organizing and editing those images on Mac and mobile devices.

Apple keeps a full-resolution version online while downgrading what’s on your device when space is low. You get the original back when you need it. Otherwise, it’s not taking up as much space. All this is automatic, so you don’t need to mess with deleting originals and potentially deleting the wrong ones.

You’re limited to transferring images from Apple devices—iPhones, iPads and Macs—though you can view them through a Windows Web browser. You’re charged for storage once you hit 5 gigabytes, or roughly 3,000 photos. It costs 99 cents a month for 20 gigabytes, though you might need more if your phone is already full.

Unlike Flickr, Apple can sort images based on specific individuals in them, though it doesn’t do object recognition, such as automatically identifying a dog in a picture. Unlike Flickr, Apple can handle RAW file formats favored by many professionals with high-end cameras. It’s not an issue, though, if you’re just shooting with the phone (unless you have LG’s upcoming G4 phone, which can shoot in RAW).

The online photo feature is built into the Photos apps that come with Mac and iOS operating systems. There’s no separate download once you have the latest system updates. Just turn the feature on when prompted.

And the Rest …

Google offers free unlimited storage in a reduced resolution. Otherwise, full-resolution images count toward a free allotment shared with Gmail and other Google services. Amazon’s Cloud Drive with unlimited photo storage is $12 a year—waived for members of its $99-a-year Prime service. It’s $60 a year if you want unlimited videos, too.

With all of these services, images are kept private—for your eyes only—until you specify otherwise.

Flickr is the only one that’s truly free and compatible with multiple systems. But if you have an Apple device and don’t mind paying, iCloud Photo Library is the easier one to use.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1359645-review-what-phones-fill-photos/feed/0NextVR Unveils VR Sports Broadcastinghttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1357961-nextvr-unveils-vr-sports-broadcasting/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1357961-nextvr-unveils-vr-sports-broadcasting/#commentsFri, 15 May 2015 00:22:01 +0000Flora Qu]]>Forget those long lines at the AT&T Park ball game—virtual reality (VR) may allow you to enjoy live football, baseball, or basketball games, without even leaving your couch.

Forget those long lines at the AT&T Park ball game—virtual reality (VR) may allow you to enjoy live football, baseball, or basketball games, without even leaving your couch.

Brad Allen, executive chairman of NextVR, showcased the California company’s live-streaming 3-D VR technology at a San Francisco event on May 6, according to Re/code. Instead of gaming or military training, the company is using VR to target live sporting events, such as basketball, hockey, or car racing.

Users can put on the VR gadget and experience a 360-degree live sports game. At the event, NextVR loaded some short clips from NASCAR, ice hockey, and others. The clips were recorded in 180 degrees or 360 degrees, so when the user put on the VR gadget, instead of seeing a TV screen in 2-D, they could turn and see various angles of the event, as though they were actually there.

The company outputs their clips into Samsung’s Gear VR headset, which is now available to the public. One just needs to load the clips, or the program provided by NextVR, into a Samsung Galaxy Note 4, used with the headset, to experience the 3-D VR sports event.

Early in March, Fox Sports had already tested NextVR on its Nascar broadcast of Auto Club speedway in Fontana, California. “The footage was streamed to FOX Sports executives and producers in the FOX Sports at-track television compound,” the press release stated.

FOX Sports chose NextVR because its patented technology is currently the only virtual-reality platform system capable of transmitting long-form live VR content.

While Oculus and Sony focus on the VR headset hardware, NextVR is specializing in capturing content and broadcasting it to viewers for the VR experience. According to its website, NextVR has a custom system of capturing and delivering live and on-demand virtual reality experiences in true broadcast quality.

When asked about the potential impact to stadium attendance, the company’s executive chairman said, “It doesn’t replace being there, the energy you get from being around everyone else. There’s nothing like being at a game.”

Not limiting itself to sports games, the company also filmed 3-D experiences of live concert performances, including the rock band Coldplay.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1357961-nextvr-unveils-vr-sports-broadcasting/feed/0Beautiful ‘iPhone 7′ Concept Completely Re-Imagines an Iconic Featurehttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1349501-beautiful-iphone-7-concept-completely-re-imagines-an-iconic-feature/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1349501-beautiful-iphone-7-concept-completely-re-imagines-an-iconic-feature/#commentsThu, 07 May 2015 21:17:33 +0000Brad Reed]]>We’re officially in the doldrums of the iPhone leaks cycle, which means that the best we can do is imagine what the device will look like through assorted concepts.

Interestingly, it looks like the home button is still an indented button like the one on the iPhone 6 and not just an on-screen digital button like the ones you see on many Android phones. However, it’s more difficult to see when the display is on because it blends in with whatever you’re looking at on the screen.

(Martin Hajek / Computerbild.de)

You’ll also notice that the speaker and front-facing camera on the top of the device are moved as far to the top as possible to make more room for the display.

The side bezels are slimmer as well, so it seems that Hajek’s goal with the design was to open up as much space for the display as possible. While we wouldn’t be surprised if Apple’s next iPhone did slim down its side bezels further, we’d be surprised if Apple had the display encompass the entire home button.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1349501-beautiful-iphone-7-concept-completely-re-imagines-an-iconic-feature/feed/0Oculus Will Sell Its First Headsets for Consumers Starting in Early 2016http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1347673-oculus-will-sell-its-first-headsets-for-consumers-starting-in-early-2016/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1347673-oculus-will-sell-its-first-headsets-for-consumers-starting-in-early-2016/#commentsWed, 06 May 2015 20:28:21 +0000Jonathan Zhou, Epoch Times]]>Nearly three years after the project began on Kickstarter in the summer of 2012, a release date for the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset has finally been set—pre-orders can be made later this year, and will ship in the first …]]>

Nearly three years after the project began on Kickstarter in the summer of 2012, a release date for the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset has finally been set—pre-orders can be made later this year, and will ship in the first quarter of 2016.

Oculus made the bare-boned announcement on its blog Wednesday, adding that technical specifications about the hardware, input, and made-for-VR games will be discussed in the coming weeks.

“Virtual reality is going to transform gaming, film, entertainment, communication, and much more,” the company wrote on its blog.

A number of video games are compatible with the Oculus platform, although the unreleased space fighter multiplayer EVE Valkyrie is the only made-for-VR game so far.

The front side of the Oculus Rift. (Oculus)

During the development of the Oculus Rift, the company has created two developer kits and multiple prototypes, the latest version being the Crescent Bay model unveiled last year.

The difference between the Crescent Bay and the final product for the mass market may be motion input from the hands. In December, Oculus purchased Nimble VR, a startup that focused on hand-tracking and 3D modeling technology, an area that Oculus had already started working on in May of last year.

Oculus did not announce a price for the Rift headset, but the company’s co-founders recently said that they’d like to keep it in an affordable range, between $200 and $400. In comparison, the price for the second developer’s kit stands at $350.

One of the ironies of the virtual reality sector is that Oculus, which has been credited with ushering in the VR renaissance, made its announcement after its competitors, Sony and HTC, did in March.

“[Oculus] raised the bar and now others are following,” said Albert Rizzo, a professor of psychiatry at USC who has done extensive research on the therapeutic applications of VR technology.

Virtual reality has been mainly marketed as an avenue for gaming, but the technology also has uses beyond pure entertainment. For instance, virtual worlds that simulate the battlefields in Iraq and Vietnam are used to aide military veterans in recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Oculus VR is owned by Facebook, which purchased it for $2 billion dollars in the summer of 2014.

For those who can’t wait another 6 to 9 months, Oculus is still selling the developer kits on its website.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1347673-oculus-will-sell-its-first-headsets-for-consumers-starting-in-early-2016/feed/05 Amazing Features That Have Us Excited About Microsoft’s HoloLenshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1345770-5-amazing-features-that-have-us-excited-about-microsofts-hololens/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1345770-5-amazing-features-that-have-us-excited-about-microsofts-hololens/#commentsTue, 05 May 2015 08:01:00 +0000Jacob Siegal]]>There were plenty of announcements to get excited about during the Microsoft Build Developer Conference this week, but HoloLens stole the show.

In the first of a series of educational demos, Microsoft showed off gaze control, which gives users the ability to direct their line of sight, represented by a red circle, at specific interactive objects in the scene. This effectively turns your gaze into a mouse cursor.

Another pillar of the HoloLens is gesture control, which you’ve probably seen if you’ve watched any videos of people using the HoloLens.

The only gesture implemented in HoloLens at the moment is called Air Tap, which, once again, turns a part of your physical body into a mouse-substitute by allowing you to “click” on augmented reality objects in the environment.

But the feature that CNET was most impressed with was the spatial mapping capability of the HoloLens:

“Because the HoloLens is packed to the brim with sensors and cameras that help it see and understand the environment, we were able to turn everything around us within a certain focal distance into a wire-frame object, letting us see the world as the HoloLens perceives it.”

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1345770-5-amazing-features-that-have-us-excited-about-microsofts-hololens/feed/0Huge iPad Pro Leak May Show Us the Tablet’s Exact Dimensionshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1345754-huge-ipad-pro-leak-may-show-us-the-tablets-exact-dimensions/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1345754-huge-ipad-pro-leak-may-show-us-the-tablets-exact-dimensions/#commentsTue, 05 May 2015 07:30:21 +0000Brad Reed]]>We know the iPad Pro will have a display with a diagonal of roughly 12.9 inches, but what about the rest of the device’s dimensions?

This means that the larger iPad, despite having a bigger overall frame and more powerful internal hardware, is going to be thinner than the original iPad Air, which was seen as a marvel of engineering just two years ago.

Nowhereelse.fr notes that this particular schematic is dated December 2014, which means these are likely the final dimensions, although we won’t know for certain until the device is officially unveiled this fall.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1345754-huge-ipad-pro-leak-may-show-us-the-tablets-exact-dimensions/feed/04 Awesome Android Apps That Offer Features iPhone Users Can’t Havehttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1345729-4-awesome-android-apps-that-offer-features-iphone-users-cant-have/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1345729-4-awesome-android-apps-that-offer-features-iphone-users-cant-have/#commentsTue, 05 May 2015 06:42:32 +0000Zach Epstein]]>We resurrected our recurring series on great Android apps that offer cool features iPhone users can’t have, and it was one of our most popular posts of the week.

We read you loud and clear, Android fans, and you can …

]]>

We resurrected our recurring series on great Android apps that offer cool features iPhone users can’t have, and it was one of our most popular posts of the week.

We read you loud and clear, Android fans, and you can now expect to see new posts in this series published about once per week.

This week, we’ve got four more awesome Android apps to share with you. They vary widely in terms of functionality, but they all have two things in common.

Locket Lock Screen

★ Selected as one of the “Best Apps of 2014″ by Google ★

Locket is the intelligent lock screen that brings you the top stories every time you wake up your phone. Locket learns your interests and habits to bring you contextually relevant content on your lock screen. The more you use it, the smarter it gets.

DU Battery Saver

DU Battery Saver, the world’s leading battery saver and Android power doctor & manager, is a FREE battery saving app that makes your battery last longer! Get up to 50% more battery life for Android phones or tablets! With DU Battery Saver’s smart pre-set battery power management modes, one-touch controls and healthy charge stage features, solve battery problems and extend your battery life.

Presented by DU Apps Studio, DU Battery Saver is the simplest and easiest way to keep your Android phone working well when you need it, and protect against poor charging, battery hogging apps, and overlooked device settings that shorten your battery life.

“It really stands out from the crowd with its great ease of use and very powerful functionality.” – Androidappsreview.comFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs):Q: What is healthy charge stage and how do I get a full charge?A: Charge your battery when it’s lower than 20% stage, and continuously charge until the 3rd stage of the trickle charging is complete. Do not overcharge or undercharge by charging in short bursts.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1345729-4-awesome-android-apps-that-offer-features-iphone-users-cant-have/feed/0Apple Offers Workaround for Watch Users With Wrist Tattooshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1341881-apple-confesses-tattoos-watch-malfunction/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1341881-apple-confesses-tattoos-watch-malfunction/#commentsFri, 01 May 2015 20:49:58 +0000Jonathan Zhou, Epoch Times]]>Apple updated its support page last night, adding a section that warns Apple Watch owners that the device’s heart-rate monitor, which uses green and infrared light, can be interfered with by irregular skin surfaces, such as tattoos.

“Permanent or temporary …

]]>

Apple updated its support page last night, adding a section that warns Apple Watch owners that the device’s heart-rate monitor, which uses green and infrared light, can be interfered with by irregular skin surfaces, such as tattoos.

“Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance,” the support page reads. “The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings.”

Apple made the admission a day after an Apple Watch customer posted a video—which later went viral—showing the device’s workout app repeatedly pausing when strapped onto his tattooed wrist.

The video also shows the watch locking and asking for the pass-code when worn on the tattooed wrist, and the user said that the detected heart-beat rate was “all over the place.”

“I had waited patiently since the announcement in September to own the watch only to be left completely disappointed after using it for only a few days,” Michael Lovell wrote in the video’s description section. “I am very disappointed that Apple never picked up on such problems during testing over many years.”

Apple recommends using an external heart monitor with Bluetooth as a substitute, and states that other functions like GPS can be used to track exercise progress.

When the Apple Watch was first released, some observers questioned whether the heart-rate monitor would work for people with darker colored skin—the company’s top executives, who formed an early test group for the device, were all white, and in light of the recently discovered problem, probably none had their wrists inked. No issues have been reported by wearers with naturally darker skin.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1341881-apple-confesses-tattoos-watch-malfunction/feed/0The Most Useful 3-D-Printed Item Out There Yethttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1326041-the-most-useful-3d-printed-item-out-there-yet/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1326041-the-most-useful-3d-printed-item-out-there-yet/#commentsSun, 19 Apr 2015 19:55:18 +0000Shannon Liao, Epoch Times]]>NEW YORK—Life-sized weapons, cars, and weird art were on full display at the world’s largest 3-D printing expo at Jacob K. Javits Center last week. But for those looking for life-saving science and ready-to-print cars they can drive off into …]]>

NEW YORK—Life-sized weapons, cars, and weird art were on full display at the world’s largest 3-D printing expo at Jacob K. Javits Center last week. But for those looking for life-saving science and ready-to-print cars they can drive off into the sunset, the technology is still decades away.

Medical Possibilities

Using 3-D printing could save lives. And it could speed up and advance the building of planes and rockets. Yet for those lofty goals to come to fruition, it will take decades of funding and development, according to Peter Leys, executive chairman of the board at 3-D printing software provider Materialise, who rounded off the three-day conference with a looking-ahead speech.

Still, the benefits would be amazing. Leys pointed to the models of human organs that 3-D printing could produce, which would help make advancements in surgery. In particular, 3-D printing could make models of newborn babies’ hearts for cardiac surgeons to practice operating on. Surgeons find newborn babies’ hearts most challenging because they are still underdeveloped.

“Better surgeries would mean less surgeries,” said Leys, adding that it might take a generation before that happened. He noted that it would take time to convince the government to fund R&D for 3-D printing.

Leys recommends that 3-D printing companies approach the aerodynamics and medical industries first, what he called the “higher end.” If 3-D printing could begin to be incorporated in the production cycles of such heavily regulated industries, it would thrive elsewhere since the investment these industries put into 3-D printing would reap more technological advancements.

Currently, many items cost more time and money to 3-D print than to make using traditional means. For instance, a 3-D-printed water sprinkler could cost anywhere from $32 made in a polymer to $5,134 made in wax, assuming you don’t own your own 3-D printer and have to send in an order instead. The company does promise to be energy efficient, however.

One Useful Item You Can Buy Now

On the rare occasion, some products do offer more competitive pricing and functionality. Manhattan-based company Normal, founded last July, sells custom-tailored earphones for a fraction of the price people normally pay. Custom-made earphones, with parts that fit into the ear canals, provide a better range of sound than other earphones.

Custom-made 3-D-printed earphones by Manhattan-based company Normal are many times cheaper and quicker to ship than their competitors. (Screenshot via Normal)

The earphones are made from a scan of your ears and can be ordered for $199 online or in the Chelsea factory. The company offers a lifetime warranty and promises the product will be ready within 48 hours, a shorter wait than its competitors.

These are the types of applications that I think really brings out the advantages of 3-D printing.

— Behzad Soltani, e-commerce and business development vice president, Staples

The idea for the earphones came from founder Nikki Kaufman, who was looking for custom-made earphones to use while exercising during her days swimming for Princeton University, said Rameses Wilson, who works retail for Normal.

Kaufman visited an audiologist and got a silicon mold, but found the experience uncomfortable. Later, after co-founding Quirky, a company that helps fund inventions, she got the idea to 3-D print the earphones instead.

Through a quick scan of the ears, Normal avoids the conventional method of placing a silicon mold into the ears.

“That’s very abrasive, getting something shot into your ears,” said Wilson. “Now we can do it with just a simple photograph.”

The company’s engineer makes a 3-D contour based on the photos and programs it into the printer.

The exhibit of earphones caught the interest of Behzad Soltani, vice president of e-commerce and business development for Staples.

Soltani told the Epoch Times that the earphones exhibit was his favorite part of the conference and what he believed to be the most innovative technology.

“It’s very reasonably priced when you compare it to what’s out there,” said Soltani, hinting that he might buy a pair himself. “These are the types of applications that I think really brings out the advantages of 3-D printing.”

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1326041-the-most-useful-3d-printed-item-out-there-yet/feed/0DJ App Lets You Hear Everyone’s Spotify Playlists Together in a Roomhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1323839-dj-app-lets-you-hear-everyones-spotify-playlists-together-in-a-room/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1323839-dj-app-lets-you-hear-everyones-spotify-playlists-together-in-a-room/#commentsFri, 17 Apr 2015 10:00:39 +0000Shannon Liao, Epoch Times]]>Free mobile app DJ-51 promises to make the music streaming service Spotify a lot more fun, if it can gain the traction it needs.

The app aims to solve a common problem for audiophiles: there’s so much music to share, …

]]>

Free mobile app DJ-51 promises to make the music streaming service Spotify a lot more fun, if it can gain the traction it needs.

The app aims to solve a common problem for audiophiles: there’s so much music to share, but friends are too busy advocating for their own playlists to listen to yours.

DJ-51, which has a deep violet colored background, matches one’s music playlists from streaming service Spotify with others’ playlists in the same location.

The app streams the music while using artificial intelligence to match songs and is also a social network with GPS locator.

The app streams the music while using artificial intelligence to match songs and is also a social network with GPS locator. It forms a small social network when people with the app gather in a room. The network immediately dissolves when the last person leaves the room.

“We designed the network to create a space that prompts human interaction, where the music creates conversations,” stated app creator Daniel Perez Pallares. Rather than sharing a link on Facebook, or posting on Instagram, DJ-51 would prompt sharing in real time from one location to everyone nearby, according to Pallares.

Musical taste is highly personal but DJ-51 will be a way to satisfy everyone’s tastes with a carefully curated collective playlist, according to the press release. DJ-51 emphasizes the app’s collective quality, which differentiates it from Spotify’s already built-in radio feature.

A Spotify user can use Spotify Radio to find new songs that sound like playlists the user has already made, but it is limited to one user, unlike DJ-51. There is also the option on Spotify to make a playlist with friends able to add songs to it but DJ-51 allows input from everyone in a given location.

The biggest obstacles the app faces are a series of bad reviews on Google Play and a dearth of reviews on iTunes.

So far the biggest obstacles the app faces are a series of bad reviews on Google Play for Android for having many bugs and lags, and the dearth of reviews on iTunes. The version on iTunes is several updates ahead of the one on Google Play.

Many on Google Play were excited by the concept behind DJ-51, but felt that the app synced too slowly or didn’t work at all.

The sole reviewer on iTunes noted on April 11: “The idea for the app is of pure musically related genius. However, there are so many bugs and lack of population. Once this gets financed better, I believe it will be one of the best music apps around.”

A spokeswoman said that updates have been released this week and last to fix bugs and add improvements to the app.

The app has its unlikely origins being named after Brazilian distilled spirit Cachaça 51 and created by the company that brews it, as a way to promote its brand as cool and contemporary.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1323839-dj-app-lets-you-hear-everyones-spotify-playlists-together-in-a-room/feed/0Top 5 Laptop Bags You’ve Never Heard Ofhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1320070-top-5-laptop-bags-youve-never-heard-of/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1320070-top-5-laptop-bags-youve-never-heard-of/#commentsTue, 14 Apr 2015 09:04:34 +0000Zach Epstein]]>You take what may very well be an unhealthy amount of time picking out the perfect gear. From your laptop computer and smartphone to your headphones and ever the pens you carry. Everything has to be perfect for you, and …]]>

You take what may very well be an unhealthy amount of time picking out the perfect gear. From your laptop computer and smartphone to your headphones and ever the pens you carry. Everything has to be perfect for you, and you scrutinize every detail in order to ensure that’s the case.

Are you really going to carry all of that great gear around in some tattered bag you bought eight years ago on sale in a department store?

We spend a tremendous amount of time here at BGR helping you pick out the right gadgets, and now it’s time to help you tote them in style.

We’ve scoured the globe and selected five options that come from names most people have likely never heard of. They span the widest possible range of styles, sizes and features, but they all have one thing in common: They’re among the best laptop bags you can buy right now.

Rickshaw Bagworks Sutro Backpack

Rickshaw is still a young company compared to some of the mainstays out there, but its products are tried and true. More than that, Rickshaw offers a personal experience and attention to detail that you just won’t find with most other companies.

Yes, Rickshaw makes some ready-to-ship bags. But you’re not that boring, are you? The beauty of Rickshaw’s bags is that you can personalize them and then they’re handmade just for you.

With the company’s newest bag, the Sutro Backpack, you can choose from one of 71 different colors and materials for the outside and inside of your bag, and then one of 42 different colors for the binding. Cap it all off by choosing from one of 17 different colors for the Rickshaw label, and you’ve got yourself a one-of-a-kind bag that you’ll never see anyone else carrying.

The Sutro itself is very well constructed and it forgoes the bells and whistles in favor of simplicity and a sleek design. Pack rats need not apply, but there is plenty of space — 1,080 cubic inches in total.

There’s a dedicated laptop sleeve that will hold most computers up to 15 inches, and there’s also a side zipper that provides easy access to the main compartment. Rickshaw did a tremendous job on this bag, just as we have come to expect.

Moleskine myCloud Briefcase

When you think of Moleskine, laptop bags probably aren’t the first things that come to mind — but that may soon change.

Moleskine recently put out a series of bags under its new “myCloud” brand, and the myCloud Briefcase is of particular interest. This sleek and slender soft briefcase measures just 16.25″ x 11.75″ x 4.25″, but it will fit laptops up to 15 inches along with your tablet, accessories and plenty more. It’s also feather light and is your best bet at eliminating fatigue while commuting.

The bag can be carried with a shoulder strap or a handle, and it has several pockets to ensure you can keep everything organized. It’s also made of water-repellant material to protect your gear.

Hex Convoy Convertible Backpack

Hex’s Convoy Convertible Backpack is the largest and least expensive bag on this list. It’s also easily the most hipster-ish, constructed from a terrific water-resistant striped canvas that will definitely set you apart from the crowd.

At 18.5″ x 12″ x 7″, the Convoy Convertible Backpack will fit laptops up to 17 inches and still have plenty of room left over. In fact, that pocket you see on the front of the bag alone is roomy enough to fit an iPad, pens, pads and charging cables.

The bag also includes organization slots for pens and cards, as well as padded straps for comfort.

Why is it called the “Convertible Backpack”? Because the backpack straps can be stowed in a hidden pocket and you can use a single shoulder strap that carries the bag vertically at your side.

Rickshaw Bagworks Commuter

Rickshaw’s second bag on our list is the Commuter, a bag the company first released in 2008 and likely the most recognizable bag Rickshaw makes.

I have personally used a Commuter for several years now, and my biggest complaint is the fact that it’s practically indestructible. Since it’s customizable and my tastes have changed over the years, I’d really like to design a new one. I just can’t rationalize it though, because even after years of commuting into and out of Manhattan, it still looks the same as it did the day I bought it.

The Commuter includes a removable laptop sleeve that holds a 15-inch machine and attaches inside the generous main pocket with velcro. There are two small pockets on the front of the bag with various compartments for organization, and then one large pocket on the back with even more compartments.

One of my favorite features of the bag has to be the velcro silencers. The cover flap has two big strips of velcro that attach to the front of the bag when the flap is closed. Attach the silencers, however, and magnets are used to keep the flap in place along with the two plastic buckles.

This definitely isn’t formal bag, though my black waterproof X-Pac version is certainly sleek enough to fly under the radar. The Commuter is very unique and insanely functional though, and it’s easily one of my all-time favorites.

Now, here’s the rub: Rickshaw has discontinued its most recent Commuter model, the Commuter 2.1. The company is wrapping up work on a newer version of the bag though, and it should go on sale at some point this month. When it does, you’ll find it at the link below; the 2.1 model was priced at $180, but I’m not aware if the new version will be available at the same price.

Moleskine myCloud Smallpack

That’s right, a second option from Moleskine as well.

The company has done a terrific job with its myCloud line, and the myCloud Smallpack is another example of how compact and stylish Moleskine’s bag lineup is. It measures just 11″ x 13.75″ x 4.75″ and can fit a laptop up to 13 inches. That’s right, this wonderfully slim laptop bag is perfect for the MacBook Air.

The myCloud Smallpack can be worn as a backpack or carried vertically using the fixed handles, and it’s constructed from the same water-repellant material as the myCloud Briefcase. It also has padding to protect your laptop as well as a wide array of organizational pockets.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1320070-top-5-laptop-bags-youve-never-heard-of/feed/0Samsung’s Next Phablet Might Have the Best Display Ever Seen on a Phonehttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1315520-samsungs-next-phablet-might-have-the-best-display-ever-seen-on-a-phone/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1315520-samsungs-next-phablet-might-have-the-best-display-ever-seen-on-a-phone/#commentsThu, 09 Apr 2015 20:58:27 +0000Chris Smith]]>Samsung has yet to release the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge in stores, and the company is already rumored to be working on a next-generation phablet that might offer TV-grade display resolution that hasn’t been available on any other …]]>

Samsung has yet to release the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge in stores, and the company is already rumored to be working on a next-generation phablet that might offer TV-grade display resolution that hasn’t been available on any other smartphone so far.

Phone Arena received word from a single unnamed source that the Galaxy Note 5 will feature a curved Super AMOLED display with Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 (UHD) that would drive its pixel density to more than 700 ppi.

The flat screen Galaxy Note 5 will apparently feature a 5.89-inch display with 748 ppi, while the dual edge Galaxy Note 5 edge will have a 5.78-inch screen with 762 ppi, according to the blog.

Samsung has already confirmed that it’s interested in bringing UHD resolution, usually seen on TVs and computer monitors, to smartphone displays this year. The Galaxy Note 5 is the best candidate to offer such specs, considering it’s supposed to beSamsung’s flagship phablet for 2015.

According to previous Samsung presentations, these displays should have diamond pixel arrangements, a non-standard pixel arrangement that might be similar to Samsung’searlier PenTile displays.

Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Note 5 phablet family in September, likely at the IFA 2015 fair in Berlin, Germany if it follows the same pattern from the past couple of years.

Multitasking is great, but smartphones will never offer a multitasking experience on par with desktop devices because they just don’t have enough screen real estate.…

]]>

No, seriously. This app will, quite literally, change the way you use your Android phone.

Multitasking is great, but smartphones will never offer a multitasking experience on par with desktop devices because they just don’t have enough screen real estate.

That doesn’t mean switching back and forth from app to app is the only way to go on mobile phones, however, and a great Android app called Flynx has come up with a simple and elegant solution that you really have to check out.

Facebook’s “chat heads” are pretty annoying, but it turns out that the chat heads concept is ideal for a new type of web browser that will be a game-changer for many users.

Flynx by InfiKen Labs is a fantastic free app that replaces the default Web browser on your phone. Tap any link in any app and the page loads in the background. At the same time, a chat head-like icon pops up on the side of your display.

Tap the icon and a stripped down version of the page will instantly appear on top of whatever app you might be using at the time. Tabs are supported as well, as is a read later service that will save pages to be read online or offline at a later time, much like Instapaper.

Here’s a video of Flynx in action:

The app completely changes the workflow on your mobile device, and it changes it for the better. It’s fast, easy to use and… free.

Flynx’s Play Store description follows below, along with a download link.

Flynx helps you open articles and links from all your favorite apps like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Google+, etc. in a revolutionary new way.

It loads articles and links in background for you while you do something productive.Our quick read mode gets rid of ads and loads only relevant content saving your time and data. It also allows you to save articles offline to read them later.

Why Flynx?

SAVE TIME : It loads articles and other links in background while you continue using your current app.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1315456-flynx-is-a-game-changing-android-app-that-brings-multitasking-to-your-phone/feed/0Extreme Laptops for Power Usershttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1312322-extreme-laptops-for-power-users/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1312322-extreme-laptops-for-power-users/#commentsTue, 07 Apr 2015 18:31:34 +0000Evan Varsamis, www.thegadgetflow.com]]>Today’s prospects looking for premium business laptops are no longer willing to make any quality compromises. They would do everything it takes to get their hands on a virtually unbreakable laptop enabling them to complete and store their work in …]]>

Today’s prospects looking for premium business laptops are no longer willing to make any quality compromises. They would do everything it takes to get their hands on a virtually unbreakable laptop enabling them to complete and store their work in the most convenient manner.

Extreme gadgets are more than a hot trend: they are the everyday essentials that accompany you and support your progress at home or at the office.

Defining Today’s Extreme Gadgets

The results of a poll conducted by Gallup indicate that the tech tastes of American buyers change in time. At this point, internet-connected devices keep witnessing major popularity increases.

The poll reveals that 64% of all respondents own a computer laptop and 73% have wireless internet access a home. Trends may come and go, but the interest for extreme gadgets for power users will always be present.

What kind of criteria does a gadget actually have to meet to be characterized as “extreme”? In a few words, it has to surpass its main competitors in terms of efficiency, durability, design and overall quality standards. Here are the three unbreakable laptop models that could change the way in which you do business and stay connected.

Fully-Rugged

The Panasonic Toughbook laptops are available in three different versions: fully-rugged, semi-rugged and business rugged. All three options were designed to ensure a more than satisfactory performance in the harshest environments and showcase an ideal balance between a rugged design and a high aesthetic and practical value.

The fully-rugged option is the first choice that should be considered by potential buyers seeking a virtually indestructible laptop. Engineered to respond to the needs and demands of users who work in extreme conditions, fully-rugged laptops can face any challenge, including incredibly low or high temperatures, shocks, powerful impacts, drops, water, dust and vibration.

Supported by vehicle mounts, these extreme gadgets enable their users to stay active 24/7, even while they’re driving home for work or picking up their kids from school.

Based on superior manufacturing technology and sophisticated design, fully-rugged laptops and their docking solutions are a safe bet for all potential clients who travel a great deal and need to use their gadgets on the go to work on their projects or keep in touch with those who matter to them the most.

Semi-Rugged

Representing the perfect combination between fully-rugged models and business-rugged ones, semi-rugged laptops offer the most amazing benefits in the same package: good looks, lightweight design and some of the technology borrowed by fully-rugged options are a part of the deal.

These state-of-the-art products are water and shock-resistant; moreover, they can also withstand falls from up to 76 centimeters and seem to be ideal for people who work with multiple mission-critical applications, wish to buy and use a laptop involving minimal costs of ownership and put durability, excellent performance and good looks above anything else.

Business Rugged

You may be inclined to think that “business rugged” is an oxymoronic concept. It’s not. Now you can make the most of premium rugged laptops that are incredibly durable and still manage to display a sleek, stylish appearance tailored to the aesthetic demands of refined businessmen.

Business rugged laptop models combine alluring design features with sturdiness, proving that you can have the best of both worlds. Even though it weighs only 1690 grams, the Business Rugged Toughbook introduced by Panasonic can withstand falls from up to 76 centimeters; plus tests have shown that this model is also splash-proof.

Designed to follow you wherever you may go and perform ideally even in the harshest environments, this type of outdoor laptop is perfect for power users who always have to stay connected.

Choose a High-Endurance Outdoor Laptop That Will Never Let You Down

After comparing the different technical specifications displayed by all three models, you will realize that extreme gadgets are all about minimalist, user-oriented design, paired with the highest level of endurance and reliability.

Let’s put it this way: several categories of prospects, including gadget enthusiasts, military personnel, adventurers and business executives are looking for the perfect unbreakable laptop. Unfortunately, as PCMAG indicates, there is no such thing as an indestructible gadget.

However, there are a few models, such as Panasonic Toughbook CF-31, that get as close to this standard as possible. While this laptop could definitely be run down with a bulldozer or get destroyed during a machine gun attack, it can manage to withstand the impact of some of the most common accidents that usually force users to throw away the old laptop and buy a new one.

For instance, according to the same source, the fully rugged laptop from Panasonic can survive 300 pounds of pressure and can repeatedly fall from six feet without compromising its functionality. These incredible features make this gadget ideal for a wide range of applications and environments encountered by field workers and police forces. There is no other gadget that could compete with a fully rugged laptop in this category.

In a recent article, CNET describes 10 of the most common ways in which you can break your laptop. Accidental drink spills, drops and strikes are on the list and as this source reveals, all these incidents involve considerable repair costs.

On the other hand, the latest models of business laptops are sturdy and reliable enough to form an effective barrier against most risk factors and enable their users to perform optimally while dealing with some of the most challenging applications and environments.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1312322-extreme-laptops-for-power-users/feed/0Why a Longtime iPhone User ‘Completely Regrets’ Switching to Androidhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1312178-why-a-longtime-iphone-user-completely-regrets-switching-to-android/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1312178-why-a-longtime-iphone-user-completely-regrets-switching-to-android/#commentsTue, 07 Apr 2015 16:24:34 +0000Brad Reed]]>Switching from one mobile platform to another can make for a jarring transition but oftentimes users can find something to like in their new mobile OS.

Switching from one mobile platform to another can make for a jarring transition but oftentimes users can find something to like in their new mobile OS.

Such was not the case with Business Insider’s Matt Johnston, who last fall switched from the iPhone 5 to the Galaxy Note 3 and started regretting his decision after about two months. In the end, Johnston believes his choice to go to Android has been a “disaster.”

“Android is a hot mess,” he explains. “It doesn’t seem to have native support for anything. My Spotify app doesn’t seamlessly work within Android’s confines, which make quickly stopping and starting music a pain.”

“The phone interface is completely clunky. Calling somebody takes four or five clicks rather than the one or two of iOS, and pictures never show up and sync easily with Facebook.”

“Apps are an utter disaster. Nearly every iOS version of an app looks slicker and operates better than its Android counterpart.”

“Messaging is horrendous. I became disgusted with Samsung’s awful built-in messaging app pretty early on and downloaded an app called ‘Textra’ to manage texts.”

“Notifications are the worst. They barely exist on Android, or at least I feel that way. I’m constantly missing texts, phone calls, news alerts, you name it. Once again, I had to download a third-party notification plug-in called “Heads Up,” to fix this problem. Now I get Google card-like popups when a notification comes down, and I miss a lot fewer. This is not, however, ideal.”

“Another problem with Android phones: You often have to wait months to get a new software update, if you get it at all.”

Yikes!

In the end, Johnston’s complaints mostly boil down to having to do too much work to get his phone to behave as he wants it to. While many Android fans love the platform’s more extensive customization options, Johnston feels that it’s just not for him.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1312178-why-a-longtime-iphone-user-completely-regrets-switching-to-android/feed/0iPhone 6 Vs Galaxy S6: Which One Will Survive These Brutal Drop Testshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1312174-iphone-6-vs-galaxy-s6-which-one-will-survive-these-brutal-drop-tests/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1312174-iphone-6-vs-galaxy-s6-which-one-will-survive-these-brutal-drop-tests/#commentsTue, 07 Apr 2015 16:17:38 +0000Zach Epstein]]>Is the new Gorilla Glass 4 on the front and back of Samsung’s Galaxy S6 edge really that much stronger than earlier versions of Corning’s glass?

Does it weaken with the curved edges on Samsung’s new high-end flagship phone or …

]]>

Is the new Gorilla Glass 4 on the front and back of Samsung’s Galaxy S6 edge really that much stronger than earlier versions of Corning’s glass?

Does it weaken with the curved edges on Samsung’s new high-end flagship phone or can it still take a beating? Answers to these questions and more may be found in a new drop test video that looks to see if the new S6 edge survives drops better than Apple’s aluminum iPhone 6.

YouTube channel EverythingApplePro released a video this past weekend that pits the two flagship phones against each other in a series of drop tests.

First, the handsets are dropped from waist height, then head height and then from 10 feet off the ground. Finally, both the iPhone 6 and Galaxy S6 edge are subjected to a series of face-down drop tests so that they land directly on their screens.

Which phone fares better in these brutal drop tests, the aluminum and glass iPhone 6 or the Galaxy S6 edge with its glass back and face? The results may surprise you.

Now, it’s important to note that these tests are not even the slightest bit scientific. As is the case with all drop tests performed by amateurs, the phones being compared are never dropped from the exact same height and they never land the exact same way.

At the same time, real life doesn’t take place in a lab, and there’s no way to predict exactly how your phone is going to land when you drop it.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1312174-iphone-6-vs-galaxy-s6-which-one-will-survive-these-brutal-drop-tests/feed/0Say Hello to the Surface 3, a Low Cost Addition to the Surface Familyhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1304916-say-hello-to-the-surface-3-a-low-cost-addition-to-the-surface-family/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1304916-say-hello-to-the-surface-3-a-low-cost-addition-to-the-surface-family/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 19:43:49 +0000Brad Sams]]>Microsoft has announced today the Surface 3, a new low-cost addition to the Surface brand that runs the full version of Windows and start at $499. The device is open for pre-orders starting today and will be sold in 26 …]]>

Microsoft has announced today the Surface 3, a new low-cost addition to the Surface brand that runs the full version of Windows and start at $499. The device is open for pre-orders starting today and will be sold in 26 markets starting in May.

The tablet, with a 10.8in display running at 1920×1280 (3:2) is a fanless machine with up to ten hours of battery life. Under the glass is Intel’s latest Atom processor, the x7-Z8700 processor (Cherry Trail) (2MB cache, 1.6 GHz with Intel Burst™ technology up to 2.4 GHz) and Microsoft says that this is the first device to market using this chip.

The device is available for pre-order starting today and it will be generally available starting on May 5th.

To no surprise, seeing as Windows 10 has not hit RTM yet, the device runs Windows 8.1 out of the box but will be upgraded to Windows 10 once the OS has been finalized.

With a starting price of $499, Microsoft is making a play for the entry level consumer who wants a high quality machine. Seeing as the device features that same build quality as the Pro 3, it should be a competent machine for the price. But, as with every Surface, this device does not come with a Type cover nor does the Surface 3 include a pen.

The Type cover, which has been updated for this model and you can read about it here (post coming soon), costs $129 and the pen is $49. If you are planning on buying the Surface 3, it’s important to keep this in mind as the Type cover is an essential accessory and the pen is highly recommended as well.

There are four models available for preoder and the configurations are as follows:

Microsoft said that if you have any of the Surface keyboard covers, they will work with this device. Although, if you have a Pro 3, the keyboard cover will be larger than the display and if you have a Surface 2 cover, it will be smaller than the display. This is because Microsoft introduced a new screen size with the device but the pen for your Pro 3 will work on this machine.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1304916-say-hello-to-the-surface-3-a-low-cost-addition-to-the-surface-family/feed/0What Is Stratos Card and How It Workshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1304715-what-is-stratos-card-and-how-it-works/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1304715-what-is-stratos-card-and-how-it-works/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 17:48:24 +0000Madhurima Nag]]>We have traveled a long way since the time when using cash was so normal. Our wallets were filled with bills and had little or no space for anything else. Fast forward to the current day, our wallets are still …]]>

We have traveled a long way since the time when using cash was so normal. Our wallets were filled with bills and had little or no space for anything else. Fast forward to the current day, our wallets are still bulky and hardly have any space left for an add-on. Why so? We hardly travel with too many bills these days.

But the catch here is that we do use “a lot of cards”. In fact, there’s a card for literally everything! Starting from credit cards to gym cards to gas cards to loyalty cards to gift cards…you know what I mean. It’s terrible to load that fancy wallet with so many cards at once, only to complicate your everyday life and get confused with picking up the right one at the right place.

Even if you’re too particular about spacing them properly in the wallet, you’ll be still landing with that bulky mess of cards no matter where you go. And to add to that is the whole “omg-I-lost-my-card” disasters which leads to a total mess we never (I repeat, never!) want to face.

In fact, there’s another point worth mentioning here. How many of you do keep track of your gift cards and redeem them at the right place? As for people like me, that never works! But we just can’t sit and sulk over this whole mobile payment mess because apparently this entire industry is expected to reach $142 billion in volume in 2019. We need an upgrade right now. We need a Stratos Card!

All Cards Unified Into One

Stratos Card is a breakthrough concept in the world of digital payments which aims to unify your entire world of cards into one. This could be anything from your credit, debit, loyalty, gift, and membership cards that can now be left at home while you carry your Stratos card alone.

While discussing on the Stratos Card, founder Thiago Olson had said on CNet, “Our research discovered that people in their 20s and 30s want something else than the cookie cutter black card while also freeing them from their wallets.”

In fact, he prefers calling this innovation an iPod for your wallet. As said on CNet again, “Just like an iPod digitizes and stores all your CDs and music, Stratos stores all your cards while adding security features and FitBit-like card tracking.” So you can very well see why having such a card in your wallet could be vital in terms of saving space as well as keeping your card information secure.

Stratos Uses Bank-Level Encryption to Ensure Security

Stratos uses a Dual Stripe technology because of which you can use it anywhere and everywhere you use your cards. This could be your local stores, coffee shops, ATMs, gas pumps, parking meters, kiosks, and more. You can also be sure of not having your card information leaked as Stratos uses bank-level encryption. If it’s lost or stolen, you can lock it down immediately.

One of the most interesting features I adore is the double tap activation which will help your Stratos to identify your location and history based card suggestions. This means those painful minutes wasted in looking for the right card can rest in peace now. The more you’ll use Stratos, the more intelligent it’ll be in terms of knowing your card usage statistics.

Top Three Cards Available For Use With One Tap

To set up Stratos, you have to first plug the Stratos reader on your smartphone. Next, you’ll have to swipe your cards to get them registered in the Stratos App. That’s quite it. Your top three cards will always be available for use with one single touch on the card, even without having your smartphone around. So make sure you choose the most used ones as the top three.

Using the Priority Spot feature, you’ll be able to select the appropriate card based on your location as well. The LED flash confirms your card is ready for use each time. Not only this, the membership will also give you exciting offers from the company which includes battery insurance, discounts and upgrades as well as constant support.

So what are you waiting for? Reserve your Stratos Card right now for $95 only. The first orders are about to ship this April. Wow, I feel so relieved to have found this amazing card that can save us from carrying those bulky wallets forever. Cheers Stratos, you rock! Happy Gadgeting!

That’s exactly what the Juicer can do, without clunky hardware or power banks.

Phone-to-Phone Charging 24/7

At first glance, the Juicer looks like an ordinary mobile cable. But in all actuality, it …

]]>

Good friends share battery power from their devices.

That’s exactly what the Juicer can do, without clunky hardware or power banks.

Phone-to-Phone Charging 24/7

At first glance, the Juicer looks like an ordinary mobile cable. But in all actuality, it is a dual sided charging device. Using the gadget is incredibly easy. Simply plug the cable into your smartphone’s charging slot. Then plug the other end into the device you want to harvest power from.

The handheld tool charges at the same rate as a USB cord on a computer. It’s steady, safe and reliable. When you’re not using it, the device can be folded into a compact rectangle the size of a small keychain.

The Juicer vs. a Power Bank

Power banks are only useful when you remember to charge them. But many people complain about such charging alternatives because not everyone has time to make sure their power bank is full.

The reality is, if you have time to charge a power bank, wouldn’t you be charging your smartphone or tablet instead?

The Juicer is a quick-fix solution because it doesn’t require users to prepare for emergencies ahead of time. Just by carrying it around, you’ll be able to turn any of your own or friends’ Android devices into a capable power bank.

Perfect for Emergencies

Low battery emergencies don’t require a full, 100% charge. You might be close to home and only need an hour’s worth of power to smoothly coordinate with your ride. Situations like these are where the Juicer excels.

In addition to saving your own smartphone, you’ll be able to contribute to your friends’ emergencies by using the device to power their mobile phone when they need it.

Where will you be when you need to use the Juicer? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

You May Also Like:

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1304668-this-is-worlds-1st-phone-to-phone-charging-cable/feed/0Forget the Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung Is Already Planning a Better Curved Phonehttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1304563-forget-the-galaxy-s6-edge-samsung-is-already-planning-a-better-curved-phone/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1304563-forget-the-galaxy-s6-edge-samsung-is-already-planning-a-better-curved-phone/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:44:43 +0000Chris Smith]]>The Galaxy S6 edge might be the best-looking phone Samsung has ever made, even if the curved screen has yet to really find value on mobile phones. But Samsung is far from giving up on its curved-and-flexible dream for smartphones …]]>

The Galaxy S6 edge might be the best-looking phone Samsung has ever made, even if the curved screen has yet to really find value on mobile phones. But Samsung is far from giving up on its curved-and-flexible dream for smartphones and tablets.

Even if it’s extremely early for such rumors considering the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge are about to launch in several markets, there’s already talk about Samsung’s next big curves from South Korean publication ETNews.

Apparently, Samsung is expecting massive Galaxy S7 orders next year, with at least one model expected to have a curved display. As a result, Samsung Display is expanding in order to be able to meet production for next year’s Galaxy S model, the publication says.

“The expansion is inevitable because it has been announced that Samsung Electronics have requested of 8 million flexible panels per month for ‘Galaxy S7,'” an unidentified company executive told ETNews.

Even so, investments in the A3 facility have been postponed until April, as Samsung Display is working on improving yields for Galaxy S6 edge displays, and dealing with equipment changes and an “internal process reformation.”

The Galaxy S7 won’t be the only Samsung smartphone to get a curved version. Unsurprisingly, the report also mentions that the Galaxy Note 5, which is expected to launch in the second half of 2015, will have a flexible OLED edge display. The Galaxy Note 4 was Samsung’s first flagship to come in two distinct models, including one with a curved screen.

You May Also Like:

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1304563-forget-the-galaxy-s6-edge-samsung-is-already-planning-a-better-curved-phone/feed/0The Solution to Virtual Reality’s Motion Sickness Problem?http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1297911-the-solution-to-virtual-realitys-motion-sickness-problem/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1297911-the-solution-to-virtual-realitys-motion-sickness-problem/#commentsWed, 25 Mar 2015 20:42:36 +0000Jonathan Zhou, Epoch Times]]>Virtual reality has a motion sickness problem. The complaints are almost universal among disgruntled trial users and reporters, and even the CEO of Oculus VR once said that it makes him feel that way “every time” he uses his own …]]>

Virtual reality has a motion sickness problem. The complaints are almost universal among disgruntled trial users and reporters, and even the CEO of Oculus VR once said that it makes him feel that way “every time” he uses his own product.

The visual distortion easily created in simulating a 3D world on a 2D plane is a primary cause of what has been dubbed “simulation sickness” when using VR headsets. Another is the disjunction between what’s seen by your eyes and what’s felt by your inner ear canals—which are responsible for your sense of spatial balance—due to the frequent lags in the headset’s motion sensor.

The VR has been gradually scaling back these problems with more distortion calibrations and faster motion senors, but researchers are experimenting with a cheap and easy solution that could dramatically reduce motion sickness—just insert a virtual nose on the screen.

Researchers at Purdue University conducted an experiment on 41 VR users who walked around a Tuscany villa in their headsets. Those who had a virtual nose inserted in their field of vision lasted for 94.2 seconds longer in virtual reality than those who did not.

“Surprisingly, subjects did not notice the [virtual nose] while they were playing the games, and they were incredulous when its presence was revealed to them later in debriefings,” said David Whittinghill, a professor at Purdue’s Department of Computer Graphics Technology.

The virtual nose was less effective in preventing motion sickness in a simulation of a roller coaster ride. Subjects with virtual noses lasted only 2.2 seconds on average than those who did not.

David Whittinghill/Purdue University image

A Roller Coaster Simulation

“The roller coaster demo is short, but it’s very intense at times, spinning upside down, jumping across chasms, plunging fully vertical, so people can’t do it very long under the best of circumstances,” Whittinghill said. “We had a reliable increase of 2 seconds, and it was a very clear trend. For the Tuscany demo it takes more time, but eventually you start getting queasy, and 94 seconds is a huge improvement.”

In addition to lowering self-reported motion sickness, use of a virtual nose also reduced the amount of sweat released by subjects, which are a proxy for motion sickness, as measured by electro dermal activity sensors.

The exact cause of the virtual nose’s stabilizing effect is still unknown, although researchers have speculated on how it works.

“Our suspicion is that you have this stable object that your body is accustomed to tuning out, but it’s still there and your sensory system knows it,” Whittinghill said.

The researchers said that the virtual nose was analogous to the fixed visual references that are a mainstay in many motion-rich video games “such as a racecar’s dashboard or an airplane’s cockpit,” which are unknown to reduce motion sickness. A nose, however, is better suited for most virtual reality purposes than the alternatives.

“You can’t have a cockpit in every VR simulation,” Whittinghill said.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1297911-the-solution-to-virtual-realitys-motion-sickness-problem/feed/0Amazing Naked Filter Bottle Promises to Change the Worldhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1296518-amazing-naked-filter-bottle-promises-to-change-the-world/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1296518-amazing-naked-filter-bottle-promises-to-change-the-world/#commentsTue, 24 Mar 2015 19:05:47 +0000Chris Smith]]>After unveiling its clean water vision a few days ago by announcing a new filter capable of cleaning 99.99999% of germs and bacteria usually found in water as you drink it from a special bottle, Liquidity is going forward with …]]>

After unveiling its clean water vision a few days ago by announcing a new filter capable of cleaning 99.99999% of germs and bacteria usually found in water as you drink it from a special bottle, Liquidity is going forward with its Kickstarter campaign. The company on Tuesday kicked off its crowdfunding project, looking to raise at least $40,000 in the following 30 days to make Naked Filter a real product.

That means the Naked Filter bottle is now available for preorder via Kickstarter, with the cheapest price being $10 for one bottle and one filter.

This perk does come with some small strings attached, though: you’ll have to post a picture of yourself using Naked Filter on Instagram and respond to a brief user survey once you get the bottle and filter package this August, but that sounds more than reasonable for getting the chance to use this potentially revolutionary water product before anyone else.

The Naked Filter will cost $23.99 for one bottle and one filter once it becomes available in stores, with each filter good for up to 30 gallons of use (or up to 115 liters). Each bottle can hold as much as 24 ounces of liquid, with the bottle cap and filter being compatible with other sports bottles as well.

Naked Filter should head to retail in the U.S. in the third quarter of the year, with distribution to other countries set to start at a later date.

Videos further explaining the inspiring technology behind Naked Filter and the full press release follow below, with the Kickstarter preorder page available at this link.

GROUNDBREAKING “NAKED FILTER” WATER BOTTLE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDERS ON KICKSTARTER

Crowdfunding Campaign Kicks off for Water Bottle Filter That Removes Microorganisms, Making Clean Water Available To “Every Body” Via Ingenious Nano-fiber Membrane Technology

March 24, 2015, Alameda, CA – Liquidity, a Silicon Valley startup, today announced that its recently debuted revolutionary “Naked Filter” water bottle is now available for pre-orders on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter.

The goal of Naked Filter’s Kickstarter campaign is to test consumer interest and support key remaining steps needed to launch the product. By helping the campaign, individuals will assist Liquidity in achieving its vision of distributing water purification products globally, with the goal of making a serious impact on waterborne illnesses – a major global health issue. Funds raised from supporters will be used to finance the manufacturing and distribution of the new product.

Shipments of Naked Filter will begin in August. However, the first Kickstarter supporters can receive early-bird access to the product in July, before the product is available to the general public later this fall. Naked Filter’s initial backers can take advantage of a range of early-bird rewards at various funding levels, including:· Naked Evangelist: For those who want special access to the first-off-the-line commercial batch of 500, backers can get one bottle and three filters for $50. Product ships in July.· Naked Pioneer: A limited batch of a few hundred units that offer one bottle and one filter for $10 plus some social love. Product ships in August.· Naked Family: Limited quantities of four bottles and eight filters for $70 initially. Ships in August.

Naked Filter’s Kickstarter campaign starts today and will run through Earth Day, ending at 11:59 p.m. PDT on April 22, 2015. The campaign has a fundraising threshold of $40,000.

The revolutionary nanotechnology that powers Naked Filter is a result of more than 15 years of R&D at Stony Brook University and Liquidity. This portable water filtration bottle is Liquidity’s first mainstream consumer product, and the first product to offer an electro-spun, nano-fiber membrane technology that provides high-quality bacterial filtration at flow rates not possible in the past. This breakthrough enables incredibly user-friendly products that provide drinking water at the standards set by the EPA for bacteria and cyst removal.

As Victor W. Hwang, CEO of Liquidity, states, “This is the world’s first personal water purifier that is effective and convenient enough for daily use by ordinary people. Take it anywhere, fill it up, and drink healthy water anytime on-the-go.”

Naked Filter takes bacteria-laden water and removes 99.9999% of the microorganisms to create, water that is naked: free of bacteria, free of added chemicals, free of odor, and free of hassle. Using Naked Filter, people can fill the bottle with tap water or scoop up fresh water right out of a stream, and drink straightaway.

Fresh water can come from anywhere: a creek, a pond, a faucet when traveling, a public drinking fountain, or much worse. Naked Filter acts like a colander, physically removing disease-causing bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Cholera, plus protozoan cysts such as Giardia, as the water flows through it.

Benefits of Naked FilterNaked Filter has several innovative features:· Highly Effective – Fewer than 1 in a million bacteria pass through. It also greatly improves the taste and odor of water.· Highly Convenient – Drink it normally, like you would a standard water bottle. No hard pressure is required.· Safe-throughout-life – Naked Filter is good to the last drop. It’s equally effective the last time you use it, as it is the first time you use it. Once Naked Filter reaches its capacity, the filter blocks up and water stops flowing, alerting users that it’s time to replace the filter, delivering true peace-of-mind about the water quality. This performance distinguishes Naked Filter from some other portable water bottle filters.· Ergonomic – Fits everywhere you’d want to take and use it, including your car’s cup-holder, fanny pack, bike water bottle cage, backpack, treadmill, tote bag, and man purse.· Interchangeable – Naked Filter is compatible with some other sports water bottles. Its cap with the revolutionary filter can easily be swapped onto some other water bottles.· Made in the U.S.A. – Naked Filter is made entirely in the U.S., enabling the highest level of quality control.· Meets or exceeds EPA standards – Naked Filter’s removal level meets the U.S.EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) standards for bacteria removal and exceeds by 1000X the standards for U.S. EPA and NSF 53 cyst reduction.· BPA-free – Naked Filter is BPA-free.

Pricing and AvailabilityNaked Filter, which is comprised of 1 bottle and 1 filter, is slated to retail for $23.99 and begins shipping to the general public in the U.S. in the third quarter of this year, with distribution to other countries soon thereafter. Naked Filter will be available initially with a matte black cap and semi-transparent black bottle. Other colors may be available later. Each water bottle will hold 24 ounces of liquid.

About LiquidityLiquidity is a Silicon Valley startup manufacturing breakthrough water purification products based on revolutionary membrane technology. For several years, the company has been developing a portfolio of breakthrough technologies for purifying water, including Liquidity’s electro-spun, bacteria-retentive nano-fiber membrane. The company’s investors include GSR Ventures, Capricorn Investment Group, and T2 Venture Creation. Liquidity is based in Alameda, CA.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1296518-amazing-naked-filter-bottle-promises-to-change-the-world/feed/0Why the Best Thing About HTC One M9 Is Also It’s Worsthttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1296420-why-the-best-thing-about-htc-one-m9-is-also-its-worst/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1296420-why-the-best-thing-about-htc-one-m9-is-also-its-worst/#commentsTue, 24 Mar 2015 18:13:29 +0000Zach Epstein]]>The new and improved HTC flagship phone for the first half of 2015 has finally been weighed and measured by technology bloggers and the press. Unfortunately for HTC, however, a common thread was found throughout.

Everyone seems to agree that …

]]>

The new and improved HTC flagship phone for the first half of 2015 has finally been weighed and measured by technology bloggers and the press. Unfortunately for HTC, however, a common thread was found throughout.

Everyone seems to agree that the new HTC One M9 is a fantastic smartphone inside and out, featuring cutting-edge specs and a stunning design that outclasses almost every rival smartphone on the market.

But that stunning design is also shaping up to be a big problem for HTC.

When we review the biggest smartphones of the year, we often supplement our main review with two additional articles that focus on the single best thing and the single worst thing about the handset in question.

With the HTC One M9, the best and worst thing about the phone are one in the same.

HTC One M9. (BGR)

In our in-depth review of HTC’s new One M9, we spoke at length about the design of the smartphone. It’s magnificent… a truly sleek and elegant phone that looks and feels like a best-in-class device.

But as we also pointed out — and as every reviewer who handled the phone pointed out — it’s just not new enough for HTC.

Right here, right now, HTC needed an exciting new flagship smartphone. It needed something that would catch the consumer’s eye despite an onslaught of marketing and advertising from HTC’s larger rivals.

In this respect, HTC simply did not deliver.

Just look at the One M9 next to last year’s One M8:

HTC One M9. (BGR)

Most people who aren’t enthusiastic tech fans probably can’t even tell these two smartphones apart.

The HTC One M9 is one of the most attractive and impressive smartphones that will be released in 2015. Of this, I have no doubt. But anyone who is the least bit familiar with the smartphone market may find the M9 far too recognizable to consider, especially when brand new designs are available from both Samsung and Apple.

HTC One M9. (BGR)

2015 may very well have been the worst possible year for HTC to release a new phone that looks almost identical to its old phone. In the Apple world, this would be known as an “S” update (like the “iPhone 5s”), except HTC doesn’t have the market share, hype or brand strength to pull off an “S” update.

This is why the best thing about the new HTC One M9 — the phone’s amazing design — could very well also be its undoing.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1296420-why-the-best-thing-about-htc-one-m9-is-also-its-worst/feed/0What You Should Know Before Buying a 4K TVhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1293801-what-you-should-know-before-buying-a-4k-tv/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1293801-what-you-should-know-before-buying-a-4k-tv/#commentsSun, 22 Mar 2015 11:07:29 +0000Brad Reed]]>4K TV prices have been falling lately but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right time to buy one. DSLReports’ Karl Bode makes a good case that you should probably hold off buying a 4K TV this year unless you …]]>

4K TV prices have been falling lately but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right time to buy one. DSLReports’ Karl Bode makes a good case that you should probably hold off buying a 4K TV this year unless you do a good amount of research on it beforehand.

The biggest issue, Bode writes, is that 4K TV standards are still “a mess,” which means any gear you buy for your 4K TV right now “may not be 4K TV-capable tomorrow.”

“For example, many 4KTV vendors are shipping sets that claim to have fully HDMI 2.0 compliant ports, yet the actual ports are only ‘HDMI lite’ — only capable of 10 Gbps of the full 18 Gbps the standard is supposed to deliver,” he explains. “As such these sets are being advertised as absolute cutting edge and future proof, but they can’t actually deliver full full 4k 4:4:4 chroma at 60p. Worse, many of the biggest manufacturers can’t be bothered to advertise this fact.”

There also just isn’t that much content that’s optimized for 4K TVs right now, although this can be a chicken-or-egg thing where studios don’t want to invest in filming in 4K if they think that no one owns a 4K TV.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1293801-what-you-should-know-before-buying-a-4k-tv/feed/0Awesome App Will Allow You to Rearrange Apple Watch Icons From Your iPhonehttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1293793-awesome-app-will-allow-you-to-rearrange-apple-watch-icons-from-your-iphone/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1293793-awesome-app-will-allow-you-to-rearrange-apple-watch-icons-from-your-iphone/#commentsSun, 22 Mar 2015 10:50:52 +0000Brad Reed]]>One week ago, we got our first look at the Apple Watch companion app for your iPhone that will let you adjust key settings on the device right from your phone.9to5Mac directs our attention to a new video posted …]]>

One week ago, we got our first look at the Apple Watch companion app for your iPhone that will let you adjust key settings on the device right from your phone.9to5Mac directs our attention to a new video posted on the YouTube account of NewMobileLife that shows how the Apple Watch’s iPhone app will easily let you move around your watch’s icons without ever having to touch the watch itself.

As you’ll see below, you can use this feature by clicking on the App Layout option in the My Watch companion app. Doing this will take you to a screen that’s a digital replica of your Apple Watch display. From there, you can use your iPhone’s touch display to swap around the app icons at your leisure. These changes will then be mirrored on your actual Apple Watch.

9to5Mac notes that it’s “also possible to do the same re-ordering on the Watch itself by long-pressing the app icons on the Home Screen, just like the iOS Home Screen on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.” Either way, it looks like you’ll have a lot of options of ways to customize the watch’s main user interface.

SEOUL, South Korea—Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty: Move over. And make way for laidback Brown bear and his irrepressible girlfriend Cony the bunny.

Once just digital stickers that users of mobile messaging app Line send to each other like emoticons, the

…]]>

SEOUL, South Korea—Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty: Move over. And make way for laidback Brown bear and his irrepressible girlfriend Cony the bunny.

Once just digital stickers that users of mobile messaging app Line send to each other like emoticons, the bear, the bunny, and their seven friends will soon be unleashed through stores, virtual reality, and possibly an animated film.

For smartphone users in Asia where most of Line’s 181 million monthly users are located, the characters are as familiar as old-school icons such as Hello Kitty and Disney’s animated stars. They are not well-known in America or Europe, but owner Line Corp. hopes to change that.

It plans to open 100 stores selling Brown dolls and other cute “Line Friends” paraphernalia worldwide over the next three years. It has already opened two stores in Seoul, and its first Shanghai and New York stores will open this year.

Though partly an accidental strategy, the company says the bricks-and-mortar presence will draw more users to the app and help replicate its rapid Asian success in other regions. It will also give the company a backdoor into China, where Line is blocked along with other foreign messaging apps and social media sites.

“We never intended to do a character business,” Yoon Sunmin, who oversees Line’s character business, said in an interview that was the first time the company has outlined its merchandizing plans in detail. “It exploded by accident,” he said, drinking coffee from a paper cup emblazoned with the dazed face of Brown.

Brick-and-Mortar Outlets

Visitors to the newly opened flagship shop in Seoul’s trendy Gangnam district screamed with delight when they saw an outsized Brown bear greeting them near the entrance of the three-story store. Locals and tourists from Vietnam, China, and Hong Kong queued to take a picture with Brown and other human-size cutout Line characters, as if they were pop stars.

Evelyn Tan, a 27-year-old from northwestern China, and her friend Keira Yi, 23, from Beijing, said they don’t use Line in China but came to look at Brown and other cute dolls.

“I have some friends from Taiwan and they use Line,” said Tan. “The stickers. They are so cute.”

Larger and more expressive than emoticons, the stickers have been a draw card for Line whose users are mostly in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Spain. They also set Line apart from the bare-bones interface of rival WhatsApp, which was bought by Facebook for about $22 billion.

The stickers. They are so cute.

— Evelyn Tan, 27, user from China

Line is worth about $18 billion based on revenue from monthly users, according to Marcello Ahn, a fund manager at Quad Investment Management.

The popularity of the Brown and Cony stickers has also shaped a new trend in mobile communication.

Instead of typing messages, many users simply tapped a sticker showing a coy-looking Brown sitting on a toilet or eating a bowl of ramen. Users began to associate themselves with certain characters, and the lineup now includes a bespectacled middle-aged man named Boss and James, a blond narcissist.

“People express their emotion with the characters so the depth of the interaction is different,” Yoon said.

Stickers Are Mobile Revenue

Stickers also made Line the rare mobile messenger that rakes in cash, first by selling stickers for $2 a pack to mobile phone users and later by adding new businesses such as games and a taxi hailing service. Users can now sell stickers they make themselves to other Line users. There are more than 200,000 people around the world who do that.

Line Corp.’s net profit jumped 50 percent in 2014 to 126 billion won ($112 million) on revenue of 670 billion won ($594 million), according to its parent, South Korea’s Naver Corp. The app was launched in June 2011.

Line also cashed in on the rock star popularity of its animal characters through mobile games and an animated TV show in Japan.

In China, the company hopes the stores and other ventures will put it in a strong starting position in case authorities ever relent on their blocking of the app.

The first Line Friends store in China will open in Shanghai’s Xintiandi shopping district in May, selling Brown dolls, Cony pens, Sally mugs, and other goods such as kitchen utensils, stationary, jewelry, and toys.

“We hope to resume the Line app service someday” in China, Yoon said. “If the Line app is resumed at a time when our characters are well-known, it would be a powerful launch. We hope that in the countries where the Line app is not used actively, Line characters would promote the app.”

Entertainment Options

Apart from stores, Line is in talks to open a virtual reality amusement park in China. The first such park, where visitors can explore a virtual space with Line characters, will open in Bangkok this summer.

Line is also negotiating with Hollywood producers to turn its cute characters into an animated film for theaters or series for TV.

Line spun off Line Friends earlier this month to operate the character-related business independently from the company’s app business.

Though analysts are skeptical about the app’s future in China where Tencent’s WeChat is dominant, they say the merchandizing business could be effective in the United States and in Latin America.

“There is clearly an opportunity to take existing mobile properties to other channels and generate revenues,” said Jack Kent, director of mobile media research at IHS Technology.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1291553-big-in-asia-line-app-hopes-cute-factor-will-win-worldwide/feed/0The Leaos Solar Electric Bike Is Not Only Powerful but Beautiful as Wellhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278750-the-leaos-solar-electric-bike-is-not-only-powerful-but-beautiful-as-well/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278750-the-leaos-solar-electric-bike-is-not-only-powerful-but-beautiful-as-well/#commentsTue, 10 Mar 2015 17:27:30 +0000Michael Cheng]]>Having a hard time deciding between a solar or electric bike?

One Bike, Two Machines

The Leaos solar electric bike is a self-sustaining ride. As the name suggests, it runs on solar power using panels around the bike. The two-wheeler comes in a 25 or 45 km/h version.

Should you run out of natural power- and you surely will, especially during the rainy or winter season- the two-wheel machine can also be charged by simply plugging it in. A small power gauge at the front of the bike will let you know when you need to switch to electric means to get around.

Sleek, Built-to-Last Design

The Leaos solar electric bike is designed for optimal functionality, but also for aesthetics. There aren’t any clunky panels or wires sticking out of the frame. The handlebars are made out of carbon fiber and the motor is neatly tucked away under the pedals.

Additional customization features include real wood, quality leather and other accessories such as circle brake lights and optional bag attachments. It also comes in black or white, depending on your personal preferences.

The Italian-made ride will surely turn heads and win over other bike enthusiasts around the neighborhood.

Efficient For Urban Lifestyles

Hundreds of e-bikes were released into the market last year, which was great, but they all had limited features. The Leaos solar electric bike excels in both efficiency and sustainability. For environmentally conscious individuals, the two-wheeler offers a suitable alternative to cars and scooters.

Power riders who want a bike that can cope with a full day of errands may also be drawn to the strong frame and quiet, reliable electric features.

The modern design ensures when other bikes have gone out of style and have fallen obsolete to younger, newer rides, the Leaos solar electric bike will still remain standing.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278750-the-leaos-solar-electric-bike-is-not-only-powerful-but-beautiful-as-well/feed/0Apple Watch’s Battery Will Be Fully Replaceablehttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278737-apple-watchs-battery-will-be-fully-replaceable/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278737-apple-watchs-battery-will-be-fully-replaceable/#commentsTue, 10 Mar 2015 16:53:25 +0000Brad Reed]]>Like with every other smartwatch out there, you’ll have to charge the Apple Watch once a day at least, even with moderate usage. However, there is some good news for anyone who’s worried about their watch’s performance degrading over time: …]]>

Like with every other smartwatch out there, you’ll have to charge the Apple Watch once a day at least, even with moderate usage. However, there is some good news for anyone who’s worried about their watch’s performance degrading over time: You will be able to replace it with a fresh battery.

Apple has told TechCrunch that the Apple Watch’s battery is fully replaceable although it’s declined to spell out exactly how much it will cost to send in your device and have a new battery installed. However, this should at least ease potential buyers’ fears that their Apple Watch’s battery will simply get worse and worse as time goes on with no alternative but to buy a new watch.

One particularly intriguing aspect of this is whether you’ll be able to buy more efficient batteries for your Apple Watch as technology improves. Given how much smartphone batteries have improved over the years, we can definitely expect that smartwatch batteries in two years will be much stronger than the ones used today.

Would Apple consider selling these better batteries to users who bought the first-generation version of the watch or would they have to buy a whole new model to get them?

While this Apple Watch battery news is encouraging, there are still some key unanswered questions: TechCrunch hasn’t yet learned about whether Apple will offer RAM or CPU upgrades to Apple Watch buyers, which suggests that the device could still quickly become obsolete within a year or two.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278737-apple-watchs-battery-will-be-fully-replaceable/feed/0Apple Watch Has a Mysterious Component, the SiPhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278518-apple-watch-has-a-mysterious-components-the-sip/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278518-apple-watch-has-a-mysterious-components-the-sip/#commentsTue, 10 Mar 2015 15:12:59 +0000Chris Smith]]>One of the most mysterious components of the Apple Watch, which Apple hasn’t really detailed on stage during either one of its media events in which the device was demoed, is the smartwatch’s brains.

Dubbed the Apple S1, and …

]]>

One of the most mysterious components of the Apple Watch, which Apple hasn’t really detailed on stage during either one of its media events in which the device was demoed, is the smartwatch’s brains.

Dubbed the Apple S1, and referred to by Apple as a System in Package (SiP), the component includes the processor, memory, storage and other tiny but critical parts, and should be further explained once the device is launched and torn apart

Meanwhile, reports from China suggest Apple’s SiPs might be even more important for Apple in the future, as they might be used in next-gen iPhone.

According to the China Times, a first-gen SiP model might be used in the iPhone 6shandsets this year, though Apple will still combine PCB and SiP use in 2015 iPhone designs. However, the iPhone 7 family, which will likely be launched in 2016, might pack just a SiP, which should be able to handle all the work on iPhone.

Apple did highlight the Apple Watch SiP during the first video presentation for the device. The component is very small and slim, and probably helps Apple maximize available space inside the Watch for battery use.

In a bigger gadget such as an iPhone, SiPs could also help out with battery life, potentially freeing up even more internal space that could then be used for batteries.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278518-apple-watch-has-a-mysterious-components-the-sip/feed/0Apple Watch Is Not Just Another Smartwatch, It’s Apple’s Featurehttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278451-apple-watch-is-not-just-another-smartwatch-its-apples-feature/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278451-apple-watch-is-not-just-another-smartwatch-its-apples-feature/#commentsTue, 10 Mar 2015 14:35:50 +0000Zach Epstein]]>Apple finally filled in the blanks surrounding its new Apple Watch during a big press conference on Monday morning in California. Personally, I’m not all that excited about the new device. But professionally, I’m not sure how an Apple product …]]>

Apple finally filled in the blanks surrounding its new Apple Watch during a big press conference on Monday morning in California. Personally, I’m not all that excited about the new device. But professionally, I’m not sure how an Apple product could be any more exciting.

The Apple Watch represents a sea change for Apple, the world’s biggest company by market capitalization. Apple’s transition from “computer company” to “mobile device company” was not a means to an end, but rather the next step on a long road for Apple.

And now, we may have just gotten our first glimpse at the Apple of the future.

Apple began as a company that helped transform computing and repackage it into something that was accessible to the masses. Then, Apple helped take all of that computing power and move it off of your desk or lap and into your pocket.

Now, it appears as though Apple is once again in the early stages of a major transition that will help shape the future of its business — and, ultimately, of our connected lives.

When Apple’s iPhone burst onto the scene and eventually became the primary focus on Apple’s business, the Mac did not disappear. Quite the contrary, in fact — Apple’s Mac lineup is better than it has ever been before.

Similarly, don’t expect Apple’s iPhone lineup to vanish in a cloud of smoke anytime soon. The iPhone will continue to be Apple’s biggest moneymaker for many years to come.

But it’s quite possible that, as was the case with the Mac and then the iPod, the iPhone will slowly move from the foreground to the background as the next wave washes over us.

And that next wave is more than just “smartwatches” or “wearables.”

Today, we have to reach into our pockets and pull out our smartphones in order to connect to people and to the limitless ocean of information that is the Internet. In the future, the Internet will be everywhere.

I’ve seen the future, and it looked absolutely amazing. The connected world as most people envision it today is only the tip of the iceberg, however.

Some day, there will be no barrier standing between a person and the information he or she seeks.

That future lies beyond notifications, health functionality and the other basic use cases we’ve seen thus far for wearables. And on our wrists, that future doesn’t look like a Casio calculator watch from the 1980s.

It looks like a beautiful, sophisticated timepiece.

Google Glass as we first knew it died a fast and horrible death. Why? Not because it was a bad idea, but because no sane person wanted to walk around with that ridiculous thing strapped to his or her face.

Apple didn’t just become a “watch maker,” and it didn’t just become “a jeweler.” If rumors are true and the company does someday release a car, it won’t be an “auto maker.”

No, Apple is in the business of shaping the connected future, and it will go wherever that connected future takes it.

Today, that future is taking shape on our wrists, where Apple decided that making a desirable watch that also just so happens to be connected is the proper path to proliferation. Personally, I think Apple is correct.

While other companies raced to market with half-baked garbage, as they often do, Apple took its time and launched “the right product” instead of “the first product.” This, of course, is not unfamiliar territory for Apple.

The prospect of owning and wearing an Apple Watch doesn’t really excite me personally, though I’ll certainly be getting one to use and test. It’s the direction Apple is headed that excites me, and the Apple Watch is only the beginning.

For everything you need to know about the Apple Watch including launch timing and pricing, be sure to check out our Apple Watch event hub.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1278451-apple-watch-is-not-just-another-smartwatch-its-apples-feature/feed/0Why the Apple Watch Is a Boon for the Middle Classhttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1277825-why-the-apple-watch-is-a-boon-for-the-middle-class/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1277825-why-the-apple-watch-is-a-boon-for-the-middle-class/#commentsTue, 10 Mar 2015 00:13:09 +0000Jonathan Zhou, Epoch Times]]>Apart from being attached to your wrist, one of the most unique features of the Apple Watch that distinguishes it from previous Apple products is its extreme price segmentation. The basic Sports Watch with a rubber strap starts at $349, …]]>

Apart from being attached to your wrist, one of the most unique features of the Apple Watch that distinguishes it from previous Apple products is its extreme price segmentation. The basic Sports Watch with a rubber strap starts at $349, with the price rising all the way up to $17,000 for an Apple Watch Edition, plated with 18-carat gold; mid-range stainless steel edition prices are from $549 to $1099.

The Apple Watch is seen as Apple’s entry into the luxury goods market, a move decried by some as injecting status competition that previously didn’t exist in the tech gadget ecosystem.

“Well, iPhone users: welcome to the world of gadget-based class anxiety. Today’s Apple Watch announcements will introduce devices you can’t afford, with features you’ll never be able to get,” wrote Fusion’s Kevin Roose.

Even as the Apple Watch might inflict some psychological discomfort for Apple customers, the product will allow Apple to enlarge its share of the luxury goods market, which is ultimately good for its user-base because of Apple’s role as an innovator.

Those who would spend $17,000 on a watch that will probably be replaced in a year or two will dispense with their wealth on luxury goods one way or another, and if they don’t spend it on the latest gadgets from Silicon Valley, they’ll likely pick up an alternative like a Rolex.

The difference between Apple and Rolex is that the former has been a relentless innovator that’s willing to reinvest its profits into making products for a large, middle-class user base, coming out with new products in regular cycles. The larger the share of luxury consumer goods sold by Apple, the more revenue from that markets goes into exploring inventions that benefit everyone.

Moreover, prices for Apple Watch will naturally decline when it’s no longer a novelty item for early adopters and the product brand expand downstream. When the iPhone was introduced in 2007, then Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that at $500 after being subsidized with a cellular plan, it was far too expensive to be successful. At Apple’s Spring Forward event on Monday, CEO Tim Cook said that the company has sold 700 million iPhones since its launch.

Indeed, on Monday Apple unveiled plans to enter the field of healthcare, partnering with leading institutions around the world to design apps that would make it easier for patients to generate data that could be useful for medical researchers trying to find better ways to tackle diseases like Parkinson’s and asthma.

]]>http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1277825-why-the-apple-watch-is-a-boon-for-the-middle-class/feed/0Apple Aims to Solve the Eternal Medical Research Problem With New Appshttp://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1277296-apple-researchkit-medical-data/
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1277296-apple-researchkit-medical-data/#commentsMon, 09 Mar 2015 19:48:38 +0000Jonathan Zhou, Epoch Times]]>Apple is releasing an open-source developers’ platform called ResearchKit that will allow iPhone users to collect personal medical data and share it with medical researchers to find better ways to cure diseases like asthma and Parkinson’s.

One of the problems …

]]>

Apple is releasing an open-source developers’ platform called ResearchKit that will allow iPhone users to collect personal medical data and share it with medical researchers to find better ways to cure diseases like asthma and Parkinson’s.

One of the problems that plagues medical research is the difficulty of recruiting participants for research studies. ResearchKit will allow doctors to leverage the iPhone’s 700 million user-base to accelerate medical innovation.

“There are hundreds of millions of iPhone users, many of whom would gladly contribute [to medical research] if it was just easier to do this,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s vice president of operations.

ResearchKit will become available next month. Five individual apps—focused on Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and breast cancer—were released simultaneously with the announcement of the platform on Monday.

The Parkinson’s app, mPower, lets users test their hand tremors by tapping on the screen with two fingers. It also detects problems with a user’s manner of walking with the iPhone’s gyroscope and accelerometer. An app for diabetes monitors the user’s behavior and glucose levels. Apple says the platform will allow medical research participants to get faster feedback on how to improve their health.

“The reality is, disease symptoms ebb and flow daily, sometimes even hourly, perhaps the most significant challenge is communication flow. You often don’t hear back until the very end of the study,” Williams said. “[With ResearchKit], the user can see this right on his or her phone, empowering them to understand and influence their health long before a research study is concluded.”

An app for asthma looks to discovers the triggers of the disease by mapping out various pathogens in New York City and matching it with the data of where asthma patients get attacks, all with the help of spirometers and Bluetooth inhalers.

The apps were developed in collaboration with leading medical institutions around the world, including Stanford and the University of Oxford.

Apple has also promised to be careful custodians of the users’ medical data.

“There is nothing more sensitive than your medical data—you decide what apps you participate in, you decide how it’s shared. Apple will not see your data,” Williams said.